Date:         Sun, 7 Sep 2003 11:21:55 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87  AFM Cold weather  problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

My '91 exhibited "Vanagon Syndrome" only in cold weather.  Typically
after about an hour at speed on a 300 mile trip during the winter
holiday season.  I believe that the first record of this being a
recognized problem was by a Scandinavian tech who also encountered it in
cold weather and got VW to take note.  This may be in a file on
Vanagon.com somewhere.
   Everyone should do the "capacitor fix".

Larry A.


Stan Harrison wrote:
>    I have a similar problem in cold weather, but mine is much colder in
> northern NH. There is a known Vanagon problem with the AFM, but I
> haven't heard anyone relate it to cold weater.
>   But I believe in my case a frost film is developing on the resistance
> material, and insulating it from the wiper. (This is what I found in a
> test in my freezer.)
>     When this happens parking with it idling always cures it.
> Stan
> 87 Syncro
>
> K G Gilbert wrote:
>
>> Dear Volkans,
>>
>> 1. My '84 Westy and I reside in the Mid-Atlantic. Once cold weather
>> starts
>> (<40 F is cold), the van experiences an occasional, intermittent
>> "miss", while
>> driving at highway speed. It usually goes away, but sometimes we lurch
>> off and
>> on for an hour. Tuneups and fuel and air filter replacements have been
>> performed. Is the Air Flow Meter a possible cause? Remember, this only
>> occurs in cold
>> weather, while the van is at warm temperature. Exactly what does the
>> AFM do?
>> If I need one, is a junkyard part ok? How much should I pay?
>>
>> 2. Again, in cold weather, the AT is slow to engage until the van is
>> warm. Is
>> this indicative of another way I can part with money in the future? A
>> non-VW
>> mechanic has told me NOT to change the fluid in the transmission. Hmmm?
>>
>> 3. I'll be making a NE trip in October. What spare parts/supplies do
>> you all
>> regularly carry?
>> I usually carry oil, 50/50 coolant, belts, AT fluid, brake fluid, duct
>> tape,
>> etc. I'd just like to know what essentials are inside your closets.
>>
>> 4. Is there an event on Cape Cod early October?
>>
>> TIA,
>> KGG
>>
>>
>