Date:         Sat, 9 Mar 2002 17:58:15 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: '89 Vanagon won't idle when cold AND wet
Comments: To: "JOHNSON,DAVID (HP-Vancouver,ex1)" <david_c_johnson@HP.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

"JOHNSON,DAVID (HP-Vancouver,ex1)" wrote:
>
> Thanks to all who contribute to this list -- good reading.
>
> My current vanagon issue (besides the head gasket thing :( ) is that the
> engine will not idle when it's cold AND wet.  We get a lot of wet days here
> in Portland, OR.  Last week, we had dry days/nights --> no problems with
> idle after a cold start.  First day of rain --> engine would not idle after
> cold start.  Engine dies within seconds of removing foot from gas pedal --
> not fun in city stop-n-go traffic.  After around five minutes of warm-up,
> the van idles just fine.
>
> This issue started last about 6 weeks ago after returning from a day of
> snowboarding on Mt. Hood.
>
> I've searched the archives -- plenty of info on cold idle fixes but nothing
> on cold AND wet idle issues.  I will look into the temp sensor, O2 sensor,
> idle stabilizer valve, etc.
>
> Any other bright ideas or components to focus on?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave

When the air is damp and the temperature is right (or wrong?) thin films
of dirt can become conductive paths for sparks that should go to the
plugs to go to other places.  Across the surface of the coil and
distributor cap and inside the distributor for example and thru tiny
cracks that develop in the insulation of old spark plug and coil wires.
 Try observing the wires etc. in the dark with the engine running.
Spray a fine mist of water and watch for sparks.  If you see them
jumping along the wires, get Bosch replacements. The surface of the coil
should be cleaned with 91% rubbing alcohol and paper towels or rags. The
same can be done for the inside and outside of the distributor cap, but
it may be better to just get a new cap and rotor. Switch one wire at a
time  =)

Larry A.