Gregg, as Dennis says, when the van is running poorly, try turning the ignition off and then back on again. If the van runs better for a minute then starts messing up again it is definitely an oxygen sensor problem or an oxygen sensor circuit problem. Let us know what you find out. Ken Wilford John 3:16 www.vanagain.com
On 5/17/2012 5:05 PM, Gregg Carlen wrote: > Hi all, > > My 1990 Westy (automatic, 2WD) has been running great since I had the heads > redone, tune up, coolant replaced, exhaust repaired, etc, this spring. Last > summer, I had the AC repaired (new hoses, dryer, compressor and condensor) > and things worked great last Fall. > > Now that the weather is getting warmer here in Northern Virignia, I'm > finding my need (desire) to use the AC more often. So, I started using it > about 2 weeks ago and whenever it runs for about 30 seconds, then the > engine seems to 'bog down' and power is lost. To explain that a little > better, when I'm driving and this occurs, I can maintain speed for a couple > minutes, then I loose power (almost as if fuel was being starved) and the > van starts to slow down. If I push on the accelorator more, the engine > continues to decrease power but is trying harder and the faintest black > smoke starts to come out of the exhaust. As soon as I turn the AC off, > everything resumes to normal in about 2 seconds (power, speed can be > increased, no black smoke). Another symptom is if I am stopped a traffic > light (or for any other reason) with the AC on, the engine will stutter and > reduce the idle RPMs until it stalls out. > > There have been a few occasions where this 'AC reduces power' symptom > didn't occur and everything worked fine. It seems like only the last 2 > weeks has this started to act up (again, keep in mind I only started using > the AC this spring in the past 2 weeks). > > A few other factors that 'may' be related and influence what is occuring. > FYI, I've had the van for about a year, so only last fall did I use the AC > (and didn't experience any issues). The AC will ONLY turn on (AC compressor > clutch kicks in, fan blows cold air) when the two AC switches (fan speed > and thermostat switch) are turned up to their highest settings. If either > is turned to a lower setting, the AC does not operate. Also, the PO had > removed the stock radiator fan and replaced it with an aftermarket that is > controlled by a manual toggle switch (attached to the steering column). > This 'AC reduces power' symptom seems to occur regardless if the radiator > fan is turned on or off. I also have a flashing coolant light, but this van > has always had that problem (I need to search the archives to refresh my > memory about the cuases for that and fix that, too). > > I saw an archived thread about an AC idle stabilizer, but that was for a > 1.9l. Does that exist on the 2.1? Given the symptoms above, could that > component be causing this if its failing? > > Any suggestions of where to start troubleshooting/testing? > > Gregg > 90 Westy (Blueberry) > |
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