Date:         Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:52:18 -0400
Reply-To:     craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      1.9 problems
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I have a 1985 Vanagon GL with a fresher 1.9L engine. Less than 30K on
the engine. It ran well on a daily basis untill a few weeks ago. I
left the ligths on. Stupid move. Neadless to say the battery was dead.
An attempt at push starting did not work, and it took a pretty big
jump to get it going. Once going it ran poorly all the way home. Once
home, the battery took quite a charge off a nice charger. With the
battery recharged, we started driving it again. We drove it out to
Walmart to get the battery tested, it proved "ok" in their mind. But
it wasnt running quite right. On the way home, it just lost power
completely. It then died along the roadside. Needless to say, somehow
the battery was dead again.We just replaced the alternator about 20
miles ago with a rebuilt alternator. Its "possible" that the
alternator belt is not tight enough, though its pretty much as tight
as we can get it. With a big jump, we stumbled home, where it has
primarily stayed. When started (after the battery is charged) it fires
right up. It then tends to idle at about 1400RPM and runs pretty
poorly. Sounds Rich maybe? So....we replaced the O2 Sensor because it
would run better with it unplugged. Now with a new 02 sensor, it still
runs pretty poorly, only marginally better. Runs about the same
plugged in or unplugged, and still at 1400rpm. The 02 sensor idiot
light is on (no big deal i guess) along with the battery light which
comes on and goes off randomly. If stopped at a traffic light, the
throttle will "jump" around from as low a few hundred up to 3K and
back/anywhere inbetween. This of course, is completely random and
sometimes goes away. Any ideas? Where to start? Somewhat, overwelmed.

-Craig
'85Gl Sunroof