Date:         Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:57:13 -0800
Reply-To:     Joe Fernandez <jfride@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joe Fernandez <jfride@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Rain and bad idle / no start
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Hi listees- some info here for the archives, and a couple of questions.

Last week was our first major rain of the season here in Central CA. The day
after the rain, I took the van ('86 2.1 weekender) out for a spin, and it
exhibited some funny idle symptoms- no start unless I gave it gas until it
warmed up, then on the return trip high idle (2k) until it warmed up, then
sporadic high idle.

Suspecting the rain, and remembering Mr. Squirrel's most recent 'So thar I
was' episode, I gave the electrical bits in the engine compartment a good
spritz of WD-40, to no avail. Then I ran the checks described in this
helpful article to test the various idle-related components (
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=110). The TPS clicked as it
should, but the idle control valve didn't buzz.

Since I had a spare idle control module, I thought I'd plug it in and give
it a try to see if the valve or module was faulty. I pull the passenger side
taillight to get to the IC module, and lo-and-behold, it's sitting in an
inch of muddy water. I clean out the leaves/mud that prevent the water from
draining, let everything dry out, plug in the spare IC module, zip tie it to
the top of the plastic air intake, and she starts up and runs normally.

I'd be surprised if the IC module is supposed to sit on the floor of the
compartment behind the tail light--was there a different factory mounting
place? Is my waterlogged IC module likely fried, and do I risk anything by
letting it dry out and plugging it in to see if it works?

Thanks
Joe