Date:         Sat, 16 Mar 2002 17:02:31 -0600
Reply-To:     Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Need ideas for serious No-start condition, please
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

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"