Date:         Tue, 18 Oct 2005 20:36:38 -0500
Reply-To:     tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Organization: Tippen Ringware
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Syndrome Solved, finally!
In-Reply-To:  <ca1a242fdfb7d7662e4cd906a95f86a4@comcast.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

I found, after many hours over several months, that my zero
throttle/fullthrottle switch had fallen off of the bottom of the throttle body
on my 85 1.9.

I had no ideal that it was there in the first place, as the manual makes very
little mention of it unless you know to look.

1) What a stupid place to put that switch.  VW hasn't done that on any other
model I've owned.  Every other one puts them on the top in plain sight.

2)  It appears to have been glued in place, and was mounted on the bottom of
the throttle body.  Dumb dumb dumb.  Inevitable failure as the glue aged, just
when was the question.  I Tyrap'd (TM) it in place.  It ain't going nowhere
again.

What were they thinking?

It's running the best it has since I bought it in 2000.  And it's been in 2 of
the supposeed best VW shops in Minneapolis 4 or 5 times and they never noticed.
 I can't blame them, since these are fairly rare vehicles that don't show up
much anymore, and didn't often even when new.

tom



On 18 Oct 2005 at 18:04, Keith Ovregaard wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Well, I finally got to the bottom of this months-long problem with the
> engine on my 90 syncro and now, I am very happy to say, it has been
> fixed. As you may remember, there was a long list of sensors, wiring,
> relays, connectors, and other stuff that was checked which all appeared
> in working order. I eventually swapped out the AFM, ECU, distributor,
> rotor, cap, ignition wires, coil, fuel regulator, idle stabilizer, idle
> control module and replaced the O2 sensor and temp sensor. None of
> which solved the problem. Checked for vacuum leaks and wire meltdowns,
> etc.... Nothing but a surging, bucking, gas-guzzling WBX'r.
>
> Then I removed the throttle body to check the throttle switch (again)
> and noticed sometimes the continuity was not 100% every time. A new
> switch was ordered on Saturday and arrived today (tuesday), thanks to
> Jared at the now renamed Van-Cafe. Popped it in, made some adjustments
> and bolted the throttle body back on the engine.
>
> Time for (another) test-drive... here goes... please work! Starts fine
> as usual. Backs out of the driveway just fine. Up the hill, no problem.
> Into town and still running fine! Climb up a REALLY steep hill in
> granny gear at high RPM, that's more like it!
>
> So, unless I am being tricked by the syndrome again, this case is
> closed.
>
> Total cost: $79 and too many hours with my head in the engine
> compartment to count. Ask my wife, she will back me up on that. Or
> rather kick my back end out of the house!
>
> Add to the list of stuff to check and replace before getting into the
> big-buck items like the ECU and AFM (most listers and vanagon expert
> mechanics suspected those two things).
>
> I would like to thank Paul at Valley Wagonworks for his help and a box
> of parts to swap out and not charging me a cent.
>
> And of course thanks to all of you folks on the list who emailed your
> wagers as to what the problem/soltution could be.
>
> Back on the road again...
>
> Keith O
> 84 Westy "Brownie" Solar Charged Camper FOR SALE!
> 90 Westy Syncro
>



-----------------------------------------
Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
85 Westphalia GL Albert
96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
taring@taring.org

What happens if a big asteroid hits the Earth?  Judging from realistic simulations
involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it will
be pretty bad.
                - Dave Barry
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