Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:42:24 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Three Items-O2 sensor running rich.
In-Reply-To: <4B889405.9030205@qadas.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Engine going full rich after warm up usually indicates an O2 sensor or
wiring issue. Temporarily fixing it by cycling the ignition switch or going
full throttle confirms this.
The usual problems are bad sensor, bad wiring or short in the coaxial wire
(green) going to the sensor connection. Another problem is the ground for
sensor reference.
The sensor circuit ground reference is actually part of the ground wire that
goes through the ignition distributor harness, (Hall sensor). In most
Syncros this is attached at the base of the oil tower. The plastic tower
makes for a bad connection and corrosion at the crimp terminal makes things
even worse. Repair this connection with a good crimp terminal (sealed) and
relocate to something all metal. An easy choice is one of the screws for the
fuel pressure regulator mount.
For the sensor make sure the heater in it works and is getting power. The
sensor also needs some protection from road spray and air flow. They
originally had a clip on shield.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jon Kanas
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 10:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Three Items
Good Evening Folks,
Finally got the Syncro back from the body shop; The paintwork is done
and if it ever warms up enough to get rid of the glaciers in my yard
I'll finish putting it back together. I have one question and need two
parts if anyone can help:
Need One: I need a center cap or two for the stock 14" alloy wheels.
These seem to have vanished from our usual vendors. Anybody got any
hanging around they'd like to sell, Nifty replacements or know of
vendor(s) who actually might have some in stock?
Need Two: The vent on the passenger's door, the black one in the lower
corner with the blue slider is grim. I'd like to find a replacement
from one of you folks who have a stash of doner vanagons.
Question One: Had a problem about a year ago when Vanagon would
unexpectedly begin to run very, very rich. Lots of black smoke and no
power at all. Resetting the computer (turning the key on and off) would
temporarily solve it. I cleaned all of the connections I thought were
pertinent and the problem went away. Of course, since I didn't clean
just one connection I don't have a clue which one fixed the problem.
Like any interesting Vanagon problem, it reappeared today on the ride
back home from the body shop. Again, the master symptom is the the
mixture is suddenly becomes extremely rich while driving and renders the
Vanagon undriveable. I'd love to hear any suggestions about what this
might be or how to go about a diagnosis. What am I not doing:
* Disconnected TempII - No effect on bad behavior. Reconnected
* Disconnect oxygen sensor - No effect on bad behavior
* Tested throttle switch on plenum per Bentley - Pass and adjusted
correctly
* Tested AFM per Bentley with VOM - Pass
* Big hose between air cleaner and throttle body OK.
* Little hoses (idle switch etc) on the intake side: OK.
--
*Best Regards,
Jon B Kanas
Website: http://www.qadas.com/~kanas <http://www.qadas.com/%7Ekanas> *