Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:03:19 -0500
Reply-To: Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Subject: Re: 1.9L itermittent stalling at random
Brian -
I have an 85 1.9 w/205K miles and had similar problems. It started with an
intermittent miss on the freeway, progressed to a full cut-out at freeway
speeds, and was really awful with moisture present. Luckily, we live where
it rarely rains. I ended up replacing the coil, spark plug wires, cap,
rotor, plugs, etc. but that didn't do it. I finally noticed the wires for
the hall sender were rubbed bare where they exited the back of the
distributor. The rubber grommet had crumbled with age. I bought a new hall
sender from Van Cafe and paid a local shop to install it. Problem solved.
The van ran much better and the mileage even went up from 19 to 21 MPG.
That was about 3 months ago. So,its worth a look. However please note that
on our way home last night, the van experienced one of those intermittent
misses again....... Not sure if its even related yet.
Walter
On Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:19:23 -0800, Brian Jarvinen
<brianvwagain@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>well it's that time again. I've been through this
>before
>but have to work through it again. the fuel seems to
>cut out at seemingly random times.
>
>I tried to do some archive searches about my questions
>but on dial-up that is very frustrating.
>
>My Westy is an 84 1.9L
>manufactured 12/83; I also have an extra
>Vanagon manufactured 11/83 that I've mostly
>finished parting out and using for spares.
>
>but something is cutting off the fuel seemingly
>at random. first symptoms appeared on rainy
>days but we've had a lot of those and I don't
>think an exposed wire getting moist is the
>culprit because the symptoms started again
>on a warm sunny day this weekend.
>
>Checked so far -
>
>all grounds cleaned, di-electric greased, sealed
>with wire-dryer spray.
>
>fuel filter changed.
>
>temp-sensor II - about two years old. but
>van can run perfectly when fully warmed for
>long periods, then start the herky-jerkys.
>previous experience with this sensor going
>bad was much different but I guess still
>possible. haven't tested it with slowly
>warming water yet.
>
>fuel pump relays - seem solid. have had
>these cause this problem in the past, detectable
>when ever hitting a bump in the road. also
>when the inside of the relay rattles a little bit.
>swapped one out anyway, no change.
>
>fuel pump - pressurizes normally on
>start up. I never hear it make the re-pressurization
>sound again after that. but it is the original
>pump ... 24 years, 250K miles...
>
>so question 1 - what are the symptoms
>of a fuel pump going bad?
>
>fuel pressure regulator - I could test this, I
>have in the past with the little port at the
>fuel-line T, but testing for this is...what
>if when I test it, everything is working just
>exactly perfect? I wouldn't think a regulator
>problem would be so random.
>
>the coil - actually swapped this out for
>other reasons. an educational experience
>I will write about in another post, perhaps
>it will help someone else. no change in symptoms.
>
>ahhh, the air sensors - I can test these with
>the box off, per Bentley, and all tests show
>correctly. again testing can only reveal
>so much - sometimes the van runs perfectly
>for 20 minutes at a time. what if I am
>testing when the sensor arm is on the right spot?
>
>so question 2 - what are the symptoms of
>these sensors flaking out?
>
>I'm leaning towards just replacing the
>air sensors. unfortunately I already gave away
>my extra air box I think, can't find my extra
>one anywhere. but at $150 and several days
>shipping, I keep hoping I can find something
>simpler to try next.
>
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