Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 13:41:04 -0700
Reply-To: Blake Thornton <thornton@MATH.UTAH.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Blake Thornton <thornton@MATH.UTAH.EDU>
Subject: Re: 84 Still dying!
In-Reply-To: <3C0A9096.C4A6183D@attbi.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Why wouldn't wiggling and tugging on the wires make the short show up?
If you're right, then I've got to get cutting those wires out. Everything
seemed to lead me to believe the short is right at the melt spot, but I
couldn't duplicate the problem (so I figured the problem was elsewhere).
But, this melted spot, is between the ecu and afm. So, it would make
sense. The melted spot is also between the ecu and two of the injectors -
so perhaps, I'm only firing on two cylinders and that is the reason my
rpms drop when this happens.
Maybe I just need to cut and splice.
thanks,
blake
On Sun, 2 Dec 2001, Mike & Shari wrote:
> I believe it to be electrical as well and it sounds like a short. If you had
> problems like this before and they stemmed from the wiring then you should
> perform a continuity check on these wires. You might find that since it is
> intermittent, simple cutting out a section on either side of this melted area
> on each wire and splicing in with the same gauge wires will alleviate the
> prob. Sometimes merely 'wiggling' the wires will not make the short show up.
>
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Mike G.
>
>
> Blake Thornton wrote:
>
> > Well, I've done almost everything now and I'm getting close to giving up.
> > First, let me summarize what is happening again:
> >
> > While driving, van "almost" dies. By this, I mean the rpms drop to about
> > 500-700 (no tach) and I get NO response from the throttle. While many of
> > the suggestions made are quite good (and all are appreciated!), it seems
> > most people are not fully understanding that I get NO response from the
> > throttle. When this is going on and I'm in the engine compartment and I
> > play with the throttle, I can hear the flapper in the AFM moving, but
> > still NOTHING happens.
> >
> > Then, usually (but not always), if I turn off the van, and then back on,
> > everything is immediately back to normal. If its not back to normal
> > immediately, I can usually wait a few minutes and then turn my van back on
> > and it runs again.
> >
> > I'm 99% sure it is an electrical problem, but dont' really know how to
> > find it.
> >
> > I remember I had a slight wiring snafu a couple years agoe with the
> > harness touching the muffler. I suspected that the mechanic just taped
> > over some problems so yesterday I opened up the wires and it looked like
> > only the casing got melted (all the wires "looked" fine). I then tugged
> > and wiggled each wire both when running good and when running wierd as
> > above. In both cases, wiggling these wires did nothing. So, I figured
> > that the wires are probably fine in this location.
> >
> > I also put in a "new" (used) ECU and that didn't change anything either.
> >
> > I'm running out of things to try. I'm going to call my mechanic and maybe
> > take in in, but I can't imagine he will have any other ideas.
> >
> > Let me list again the things I've now done to date, including the dates.
> >
> > - temp II sensor is quite new (replaced 8/01)
> > - new ignition switch (12/01)
> > - new O2 sensor (4/01)
> > - new hall sender (11/01)
> > - cleaned all grounds in engine compartment (10/01)
> > - replaced AFM with a new one (possibly rebuilt?) (10/01)
> > - replaced throttle switches (both of them, 10/01)
> > - new fuel filter (7/01)
> > - new plug, cap, roter, wires (4/01)
> > - idle stabilizer (probably 1997?, but it can't be bad can it?)
> >
> > I'm at a loss. I guess I need to start checking every wire, but this
> > worries me because the problem in intermittant - so when I check the
> > wires, they will probably be fine.
> >
> > Blake
> > 84 Westy
> > SLC UT
>
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