Date:         Fri, 10 Nov 2006 14:52:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Doug Fitz-Randolph <fitzr@SUSCOM-MAINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug Fitz-Randolph <fitzr@SUSCOM-MAINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Fw: HELP!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The erratic idle could be many things, but issues bad/intermittent contact
in grounds, wires and connectors would definitely be high on the list of
suspects. I personally experienced a similar 1100 - 3000 RPM fluctuation for
no apparent reason... until one day I coasted in neutral over railroad
tracks and the idle suddenly shot up to 3000. I went around the engine
compartment wiggling wires until I found that moving the wires to the Temp
II sensor (in the thermostat housing) affected the idle. Following the list
over the years, the Temp II sensor has been implicated in numerous issues.
Might not be the cause, but worth checking. I'm sure there are cold/warm
resistance specs for this sensor in the bentley manual.

Doug Fitz-Randolph
Freeport, ME

> A friend of mine is having trouble with his van.  Here I send the
> email
he sent me.  Let's see if we can help him.  I am puzzled myself.  Please, if
you have an idea, let me know.
> Zoltan
>
>
> 1988 Vanagon Westfalia w/ Air Conditioning:
>
> History:
> 2 months ago
> Problem:
> Engine would just die while driving and not restart until the main
computer was tapped on.
> Fix:
> Replaced main computer with one purchased from GO WESTY
>
> 1 month ago
> Problem:
> Engine RPM's would just die, then pick back up while driving, seemed like
an electrical / ignition problem.
> Diagnosis:
> Perfromed by German Auto repair Shop in New Orleans.  Thomasilav (504)
> 368-1272 Ignition checked out fine.  I was told to look cloesely at Hall
Sender.  Hall Sender checked out fine.
> Told the Idle Speed Control Unit needed to be replaced.
> Action taken:
> Replaced Idle Speed Control Unit
>
> After driving van for 1 hour and turning on the A/C the problem of RPM's
dropping and picking back up persisted, and then engine RPM's would jump
eratically between 1000 and 3200 RPM's at any given time.
>
> Returned van to German Auto:
> Asked them to replace the Hall Sender, since I had a new one on hand.
> Drove the van for about 15 miles and original problem of RPM's dropping
and picking up persisted.  Then idle began to act eratically again jumping
from 1000 to 3200 RPM's again.
>
> Called German Auto told by them to order a new Idle Valve to have
replaced.
>
> Can someone out there give me any indicationas to what may be going on
with my Westy?  I am perplexed and, I think, so is the shop.
>
> PLEASE HELP!  Bob Barr New Orleans  (504) 250-0030