Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 21:39:08 -0700
Reply-To: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: A/C high idle
In-Reply-To: <F82oxJ6sJ9amqkhqntK0000c3f6@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
There is an idle stabilizer valve, which is supposed to keep the idle from
dropping when the engine is loaded by the AC or power steering. It is
controlled by (what else) a controller - a sort of elaborate (and expensive)
relay. The valve in question lives right on top of the middle of the
engine - it's a transverse-mounted cylinder about 4" long and 1 1/2" in
diameter. It's mounted in a rubber bushing and there are air hoses attached
to it on one end and wires plugged into the other. The thing should "hum"
with the ignition key in the "on" position, engine running or not (it's
easier to tell if it's working with the engine off, key on). If it doesn't
function, replace both it and its controller. Even if it does hum, it's not
necessarily working all the time. If these items are old (120,000 miles or
more) you can replace them on principle without feeling bad about it -
they're living on borrowed time anyway. Of course, the ideal is to replace
the parts one at a time with KNOWN GOOD for testing purposes, the hitch
being the availability (or lack thereof) of such things. There are
procedures for testing this equipment outlined in the Bentley book, if
you're somewhat equipped with electrical testing knowledge and gear... Happy
hunting!
Coby Smolens
Valley Wagonworks
VW Bus and Vanagon Specialists
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since 1959"
1535 SF Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
415-457-5628
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of
Randy Charrette
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 3:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: A/C high idle
I have an 87' Syncro, and when I turn on the AC initially everything is
fine. It works great, and Idles well at lights for a while and then after a
period of driving when I come down to idle it sticks around 3000 rpm. A few
times it has stuck there and I waited about 30 seconds and all of a sudden
it just dropped down to normal. It also drops back to normal when I shut off
the AC. This leads me to believe a switch or valve is sticking. Does anyone
know what valve controls the Idle when the AC is on, and whether or not this
could be my problem?
Thank you
Randy Charrette
87' Syncro
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