Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 07:41:44 -0800
Reply-To: Joseph Fortino <fortino1@ONEBOX.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joseph Fortino <fortino1@ONEBOX.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Cutout
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
John,
I have an 85GL and going threw the same thing, its killing me
i too want my van back, last light I looked in my fuel relay box
upper part near the coil and found that 1 RED wire looks as if its getting
brownish from heat, I also noticed that thier are 2 relays
in there, 1 controlling fuel pressure. maybe this might be my prob
fuel relay bad.
I did most all of what you have done, not spending tons of cash
but tring to fix this the simple way. with good parts ofcourse
I'm with ya brother not alone we'll get threw this :)
Joe
85GL Sybil :)
--
Joseph Fortino
fortino1@onebox.com - email
---- John Clavin <jc@AUSTIN.RR.COM> wrote:
> After continuing to work the usual cures for my persistent problems
> with
> engine stumbling or hesitation, the problem has only gotten worse with
> my
> 1985 Vanagon during the past two months. The latest episodes, which
> now
> occur daily, involve the engine completely cutting out. The tach crashes
> *hard* to zero and the engine is *dead*, only to mysteriously revive
> a good
> one or two seconds later. Here is the status of my anti-stumbling efforts
> to date:
>
> AFM - reconditioned unit just installed (did wonders for overall
> driveability, eliminated surging, and smoothed out the idle - but no
> effect
> on the cutout problem)
>
> Throttle Plate Switch - installed new cam, adjusted correctly, switch
> tested ok
>
> Temp Sensors - resistance measures within limits per Bentley
>
> Idle Stabilizer - new, but bypassing it seems not to make any difference
> with respect to the cutout and stumbling problem (in fact, with the
> new
> AFM, the van runs just as good without this thing, so I have left it
> bypassed)
>
> Ignition Coil - resistance checks ok per Bentley (are there other tests?)
>
> Hall Control Unit and Sender - pass all voltage and operating tests
> per Bentley
>
> Cap & Rotor - good condition, relatively new, rotor ohms out ok
>
> Plug wires - good condition, resistance ok per Bentley
>
> Plugs - W7DTC, relatively new - replacing them did not help.
>
> O2 sensor - relatively new, replacing it did not help.
>
> CO screw setting - 1-3/4 turns from bottom (remanufactured AFM came
> set
> this way). Checked setting against O2 sensor readings and concluded
> after
> some adjusting that this was a good setting - O2 sensor readings oscillate,
> crossing over 0.5 volts, during "normal" warm idle.
>
> Idle setting - who knows? Most of the time it idles 900-1100. but then
> some
> times it revs back and forth from 1000-1500+, other times it stays
> at 1500+
> and only slowly comes down. I don't know how to set the idle adjust
> screw
> under these conditions.
>
> Timing - running approx 3-5 deg ATDC (spec for '85 is 5 deg ATDC) -
> have
> experimented with settings from 5 deg BTDC to 5 deg ATDC, some differences
> in driveability but no setting seems to eliminate the cutout or stumbling.
>
> Grounds - all grounds coming off the left side of the engine ohm out
> ok
>
> ECU - visually inspected the circuit board - all solder joints look
> good,
> no signs of any overheating
>
> Vacuum lines - all in good condition, all vacuum devices tested for
> leaks
> and checked out ok
>
> Fuel pressure regulator - measured a few pounds higher than Bentley
> calls
> for (both with and without vacuum)
>
> Fuel filter - will change it this week (but gut feel and past experience
> tells me this is not going to make a difference)
>
> After doing some lengthy searches on the archives (again!), it appears
> there are lots of reasons for stumbling, but some people who have had
> the
> severe engine cutout as I described ultimately traced it to a bad ECU
> or
> Hall Sender. Is this true? Anyone have a different experience? Anyway,
> I am
> concentrating my next efforts on these plus the cabling and &$#*& plug
> on
> the distributor that connects the Hall Sender. Other opinions, suggestions,
> and guesses are eagerly solicited. I am getting desperate -- at this
> point
> I am even willing to replace the front bumper if there is the slightest
> chance it could help. However, funds and patience are becoming exhausted.
>
> Are there any other tests (besides Bentley) to perform on the Hall
> Sender?
> Can this thing become intermittent and still test good per Bentley?
> Any
> ideas regarding the likelihood of it being the Hall Sender vs. the
> ECU? Is
> there a kind soul out there in the Central Texas area with a known,
> good
> ECU spare I could borrow for substitution testing with mine?
>
> I don't deserve this... really. I still have the original German air
> in my
> Continental spare! I need my life and my van back. Help...
>
> John Clavin
> 1985 Vanagon GL
> Austin, TX
>
__________________________________________________
FREE voicemail, email, and fax...all in one place.
Sign Up Now! http://www.onebox.com
| 
