Date:         Sun, 8 Jul 2001 17:56:27 EDT
Reply-To:     DRodrig420@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Rodriguez <DRodrig420@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Running problems
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Well, during the course of my usual "used car checkup", I noticed a few
things.  Today was spent in the engine compartment.  To try and aleviate the
hard-starting problem, I cleaned all of the electrical connections(including
the grounds on the driver's side cylinder head), and used dielectric grease
in all of them.  During this process...I noticed that the oxygen sensor ISN'T
THERE.  The wires for it, and the wire that appears to have actually come
from the sensor itself, were just camping out over by the ECU.  I did a
visual inspection to see where the sensor is -supposed- to be in the exhaust,
but I cannot find it.  There is a bolt-like piece in the bottom of the
manifold on the driver's side of the van, and closer to the front, there is
another, larger one.  Is one if these suppoesd to be for the O2 sensor?  I
can only assume so, as I did not see a place for it in the catalytic
converter, either.

Well, the Van now runs worse than it did before.  It backfires, misfires, and
if you floor it, it bogs down.  As everything else appears to be in order, I
can only assume the ECU is now going nuts not having a signal from the O2
sensor.

The fuel system appears very similar to Digifant, but if I recall correctly,
is slightly different, and is called something else.  Being more a CIS-type
guy, diagnosing this type of system is slightly foreign to me.  I can,
however, attribute some of the rich running condition to the coolant
temperature sensor not working properly, and obviously the lack of the O2
sensor.  I haven't had a chance to set the timing, either.  I did manage to
locate the hole(automatic trans, not sure if it makes a difference), and the
adjustment of the distributor looks straightforward enough.  What's the spec
on the timing for this thing?  5 or 6 degrees BTDC?

I appreciate any help you guys can offer me on this stuff.  I'm a bit boggled.

-Dave
'91 Jetta GTX 16V
'88 Jetta GLI 16V
'84 Vanagon


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