Date:         Tue, 22 Jan 2002 09:25:41 -0600
Reply-To:     Tonya Pope <Tonya@HOLOREALITY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tonya Pope <Tonya@HOLOREALITY.COM>
Organization: HoloReality, Inc.
Subject:      van won't start
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hi all --

I'm trying to get my van on the road again and am in need of
assistance:

'87 vanagon GL with about 140k, 60k on current engine, has been
sitting for a little over two years

immediately prior to demise, occasional weird electrical issues --
oxs/battery lights flickering, etc.  Also had complete loss of throttle
response a few times while in gear - towed to dealer who said it
was the o2 sensor (engine would rev while in park or neutral,
wouldn't do squat while in gear)  Refused to turn over a couple
times during this episode.  Without them really doing anything, it
started and ran fine for a few days after this.  Did not replace
sensor as I didn't believe dealer knew anything (same dealer once
told me they'd have to replace the ECU at the tune of $1000 in
order to diagnose anything electrical since it "could" be a faulty
ECU)

last day running, a few surges, then just died while going about 40
near my house, was pushed the rest of the way home

wouldn't turnover and lack of funds/time resulted in it sitting

--- cut to present ---

because of the electrical questions (and suspect alternator
anyway), just installed new alternator (problematic enough by itself -
 thanks to all that helped with the thread issues) and charged up
battery

still won't turn over -- when I turn the key into the "on" position,
normal lights come on and I hear a click from fuel pump region, I
don't hear the fuel pump hum tho.  When I turn it to try to start,
there is another click from I think a little further back (starter
area?), but that's it.

So, remembering that you're helping a mechanical novice with
extremely limited funds and tools, what would be the initial prime
suspects?

   fuel pump?  (replaced about two years prior to demise, about 30k
miles)
   starter?  (original)
   ignition switch?  (original)
   distributor/halls sendor something?
   something really easy and cheap?  (please :) )
   ???

Other than a multimeter, I don't have any real testing tools, but I do
follow instructions well.

Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated,
Tonya
87 Vanagon GL Wolfs