Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:18:18 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: AC causes engine reduction in performance and stalling
In-Reply-To: <CAK-ud2g6rECDX5JzR52444f7SUeOvGeowP9_ZN5QBXzc41VYCA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Gregg, the problem is definitely in the oxygen sensor circuit. Since the
oxygen sensor is new then let's rule that out. What we are left with is
the wiring going from the oxygen sensor plug to the ECU or the ground
for the oxygen sensor. The ground wire can easily be checked. If you
look at the distributor you will see a plug on the side. Follow the
wiring back from that plug about six inches and you should see a brown
wire coming out of the sheath. Trace this brown wire down to a point on
the engine where it should be attached. Usually they are grounded to
the cylinder head on the driver's side. If this wire is in good
condition and the end is good, be sure that the ground strap between
this point and the firewall is also good. If these two grounds are good
then the problem is probably with the signal wire going from the oxygen
sensor plug to the ECU. This is a coaxial shielded wire and over time
it gets old and the wiring breaks down. You can replace it with a new
shielded wire if you can find some. Or I have a kit for $59 that
includes the wiring you need to repair this problem. Let me know what
you find.
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242
On 6/29/2012 9:31 AM, Gregg Carlen wrote:
> So, I tried turning the van off and on again quickly. The symptoms you
> described below of things resuming normally and then messing up again
> soon after were exactly what I experienced. I checked the 3 wires
> coming from the new O2 sensor. The single wire had a little corrosion
> on it, so I cleaned that up and the AC semed to work fine for a few
> days, then returned to the same symptoms.
> Rechecked that connection again and cleaned it a little more (still in
> good shape), but didn't make a difference. Fore good measure, I
> cleaned the contacts of both ends of the trans-chasis ground strap
> (since it was on my to-do list anyway), but still no luck.
> I think it would be highly unlikely that I have a bad O2 sensor since
> it's new. What I could see that would be more likely is a leak int he
> exhaust pipes before the 02 sensor or I've gummed up the O2 sensor
> from running too lean at times. Thoughts? (as I dig out the Bentley to
> start chasing down the O2 circuit for bad conections or opens).
> Gregg
> 90 Westy (Blueberry) - in hot VA weather
>
> On Fri, May 18, 2012 at 9:01 AM, Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@gmail.com
> <mailto:gregg.carlen@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Thanks guys. I'll definatly try that this weekend. A quick visual
> inpsection didn't reviel anything obvious. In having the engine
> work done, I had the mechanics install a new O2 sensor, so that
> would align from a timeline perspective of when the symptoms
> started. I'll let you know how it goes.
>
>
> On Fri, May 18, 2012 at 8:52 AM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net
> <mailto:kenwilfy@comcast.net>> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
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