Joe: This happened to me very recently. It was the Hall generator inside the distributor. Replaced generator & reset timing. Also cleaned plugs & replaced fuel filter during the troubleshooting process. Good luck.

Dennis Patterson Vernon, BC 84 Westy

----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Romas" <jromas@COLUMBUS.RR.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 3:48 PM Subject: Re: Need ideas for serious No-start condition, please

> If it happened all at once, check the rubber boot just after the afm for > cracks, breaks or whatever. > > Joe > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Marshall" <mjruskin@SHAW.CA> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 6:02 PM > Subject: Need ideas for serious No-start condition, please > > > > Hi Volks: > > > > Can you please help me by suggesting some things to check to remedy the > > following serious situation(s): > > > > Symptoms: > > > > 0. My van is blocking the lane! > > 1. it will turn over, but frequently engine dies immediately; (has gas > > and a > > running fuel pump) > > 2. Sometimes I can get to run in idle, (and it then does run in idle) > but > > when put into gear > > (automatic), it mostly dies immediately when I lift my foot from the > brake; > > 3. On occasions when I can get it to go, it bucks ferociously - always > > about to totally die - then catches - but it often does die; (much worse > > than an intermittent afm-caused bucking) > > 4. turning off ignition and waiting a few moments does not eliminate > the > > symptoms; > > 5. Warming up the engine does not remedy the symptoms. > > > > What I have done: > > > > 1. I have opened the afm, and cleaned it, the tracks seem ok. > > 2. With the Digitool, I have monitored the O2 sensor, and it does seem > > the be near 0.5 V (bouncing around) when the engine is warm - but this > was > > done during a non-bucking episode; > > 3. I noticed the afm voltage plummet when a buck happens - but that > seems > > pretty normal to me as when it bucks - the airflow through the afm would > > reduce because it's not producing power at that time. > > > > What I suspect: > > > > 1. rotor/distributor cap; > > 2. Maybe something to do with the distributor advance, or timing - > dunno; > > 3. ground circuits (shot in the dark) - it's been alternating > > freezing/thawing out the last week or so as we approach spring; > > 4. plug wires - maybe not getting good spark - how do I test this? > (Never > > tested for spark before- what do you do?) > > 5. ??? > > > > Please you guys - any help you could provide me with would be great. (I > had > > to replace a half-axle last week, and got new tires the week before - if I > > cannot remedy this myself it's gonna have to wait until my next paycheck - > > as my condo is being renovated - can't you just hear the sound of money - > > hemorrhaging from me! ;<) ! ;<( ) > > > > Marshall Ruskin > > 84 Westy "The Weekend PITA" > >