Date:         Wed, 11 Aug 2004 11:09:55 -0400
Reply-To:     Rick Koller <rkoller@HELIX.NIH.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rick Koller <rkoller@HELIX.NIH.GOV>
Subject:      new vanagon quirk?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Hi all,
        I have been on the List for about 8 years now and have seen all sorts of "
vanagon syndromes " reported, described, diagnosed and repaired. I am
proposing to add yet another to the list. I don't recall any reports about
this particular quirk. My syncro camper runs like a champ for hours at a
time with the a/c on, when I stop and turn off the ignition and then get
gas or food or whatever I'm doing and return to start the van, it starts
hard and stumbles and stalls at take off refusing to idle. The van is
drivable once I get up to driving speed but dies at stop signs etc. This
behavior comes out of nowhere, no warning at all. All the sensors seem to
be showing the correct voltages except the battery output has declined from
13.3 to 12.5 or similar ( I use a Digitool ) the throttle position switch
is new and properly adjusted. The next day the same thing happens, the van
starts and runs normally. I am going to run the van without the a/c on and
see if the condition recurs. My first repair may be the ignition switch
since it is an original part and is often the culprit responsible for these
intermittent gremlins.  I will post my results to the list. If anyone has
had this same thing happen please let me know. Thanks.
Rick Koller
'90 syncro westie