Date:         Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:18:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: 2.1 distributor (check yours)
Comments: To: dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <8C9555FFB7DC70E-688-904E@WEBMAIL-RE17.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

The loose plastic part is not the hall unit itself, it is only where the
tiny wires from the hall unit lead out to connect to the FI wiring
harness. The danger from the looseness is that the tiny wires will get
damaged or broken over time. If the plastic part gets loose enough the
tiny wires can rub against a metal edge and rub through their
insulation. Then weird  stuff can happen at times when the exposed
wire(S) shorts out to the metal, such as on bumps in the road, shifting
gears, etc.

This is a common problem that has been mentioned on this list ever since
I can remember.

Mark


David Clarkson wrote:

> Mine is loose in my 1990 Westfalia. I have had some slight backfiring when the engine is not up to temperature with a new temp. II sensor and O2 sensor. I have also had periodic symptoms similar to Vanagon syndrome that occur only after running for 5-10 mins. with the engine up to normal operating temperature. I wonder if the positioning of this black piece (Hall sender?) could be the culprit.  How would I know if I am glueing in the correct postition? Wear in the distributor shaft could also cause the same effect, right? I have checked the wires with an ohm meter and all my grounds are clean. Thanks for the info Ben and to anyone else on the list that may have an answer for my problem.
>
> David Clarkson
> 90 Westy (238k-original distributor that probably has some wear)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:14 PM
> Subject: 2.1 distributor (check yours)
>
>
> Just so you know, lately, i had some vans towed to my shop (50% are towed
> anyway ha ha ha), engine not running, 1 was badly running, hard start... bla
> bla bla, the usual.
>
> After a wile, i found the problem, all 4 vans had the same problem, one or
> more of the 3 wires inside the distributor was cut, broken or close to it,
> all because that black 3 wire plastic connector was loose. On 2.1L that
> plastic part is attach to the distributor body wih a platic pin, ralely
> still in place, so that connector move freely... not good, if unlucky (yea,
> sure), the rotating parts in the distributor can cut one or more of the hall
> sender wire.
>
>..............