Date:         Sun, 16 Jun 2002 18:36:58 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Digifant problem update
Comments: To: Vanagon man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Vanagon man wrote:

> Well, worked ALL DAY on my 88.  Here is what i did.
>
> revivified fuel pressure and fuel pressure regulator are OK.....Pass
>
> Switch distributor/hall sensor..........same result...........runs ok until warm and then struggles and dies.
>
> switched cap and rotor and ignition wires............same result.
>
> Swapped idle stabilizer relays...same result.
>
> Swapped throttle bodies............similar result.
>
> When it starts, it runs great for minute or two smooth as silk, but idles a little high 1800 or so.  If you back it down, it stumbles and dies.........however in a minute or two the system drops the idle to around 900 but then it begins to hunt and it dies.
>

Adam, I have been having similar problems on my 88 GL. Finally, I started going over it with a fine tooth comb, the sudden rev to high  rpms from idle was driving me nuts. Every time I stopped at a stop light it would first idle, then go up to 15-1800 rpm or
so. The first thing I found was the crankcase breather hose that connects from the breather to the AFM was deteriorated to the point it just came apart when I tugged on it slightly when I checked it for security. Replaced it. Still had a problem, but not as
bad. Then I discovered the vacuum line to the regulator was off. Reconnected that. That smoothed things out, but idle was high. Adjusted idle. Now the sudden rpm rise was gone. But I still had the bucking syndrome. Removed and cleaned the ISV with carb cleaner
and re- installed. Still bucking. Disconnected the ISV. Cold start is now the pits, but when warm, the engine runs and idles smoothly.

So vacuum was important in my case where there was a sudden hirgh rpm condition.

I have isolated the bucking to either the ISV or the Idle Stabilizer Control Unit behind the right tail light, because the engine runs smoothly when they are disconnected, and rought when connected.

Hope this helps.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver