Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2012 11:43:50 -0600
Reply-To: Alfred Bagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alfred Bagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Darn idle, stalling, running rich...
In-Reply-To: <CAEwp_cR8JW+ixgmEoP+EFNH=HVirM4FQ4TL3J-5CCSFbvgk5mA@mail.gmail.com>
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Hi Marc,
I feel your pain. Had a similar problem about 10 years ago on my 85
Vanagon. After checking everything, I discovered a hairline crack in the
AFM track (the semicircular track you see when you take off the cap). I
replaced the AFM with a new remanufactured one I bought from Busdepot, and
it ran much better for a few days, then it ran much worse at low revs, even
worse than with the cracked AFM, but for highway driving it was OK but not
excellent. Drove like that for about 2 years. Decided to check the bought
AFM. Upon opening the AFM I noticed that the swinging arm with the contact
was stuck about 3/4 up in the high rev position due to a nut at the other
end of the contact. I fixed that problem (I forgot exactly what I did since
it was 10 years ago, I faintly recall raising the swing arm a bit with a
washer and bending the arm a bit to make contact). Problem solved. This
may not be your problem, but you mention having bought a used AFM, it would
be a good idea to check if the arm swings freely and using an Ohmmeter to
check continuity by swinging the arm slowly. If there is a hairline crack
you'll notice it. While you're at it, clean the track. This may not your
problem, but worth checking.
The problem with the Vanagons are endless and challenging. On the good side
it keeps your brain active trying to solve them, that is mainly the reason I
keep my Van. It is a dementia post-boner. If all else fails wiggle the
wires, it may help, it solved my recent problem with the bucking van, still
haven't found which wire or what contact but no more bucking.
Alfred
85 Vanagon
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Marc Perdue
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2012 4:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Darn idle, stalling, running rich...
I think I'm with everybody on the list in terms of having been chasing idle
issues from day one with my van. I just found the excellent post on BTDT and
am going to go through that process on my van this weekend.
Here's what's up: I've an '87 Westy, auto, that I originally replaced the
tranny in due to PO putting gear oil in it. I've had this particular problem
since I've owned the van (2003 maybe?). I start the van in the morning. It
usually dies a few times before I can get it moving and then once or twice
more before it warms up. It's usually running okay by the time I get to
work, three miles away. In the evening, when I get off work, it runs rough
as a cob and will only smooth out if I can get the revs up above 2500. Above
that, it runs fine. Problem is, most of the streets nearest work have a 25
mph or lower speed limit, so the revs don't get that high. Once I get a mile
or so from work, it seems to run better, though still lacking in power until
I get on the bypass (55 mph speed limit).
Now, here are the things that I've done over the years, and any one of these
could be a problem yet again I suppose, save for the idle control
valve:
Cleaned all grounds, per y'all's recommendations Replace Temp II sensor
Replace O2 sensor, several times Replace exhaust, several times Replace
engine with Boston Bob (I miss him) big valve engine after throwing a rod
through the crankcase Replace idle stabilizer module (NOT new) Replace ECU
(NOT new) Cleaned idle control valve many times and just replaced it with a
brand new one Checked and adjusted throttle switch Replaced AFM (NOT new)
Replaced throttle body boot Replaced distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs and
wires Checked timing somewhere along the way
Incidentally, my van was running its best when I took it to a shop and
insisted that they adjust the valves to zero lash cold, per Bob Donalds.
I've since had the same done by Keith (last name escaping me) in Staunton,
VA, and it's usually run quite well after that, getting up to 18 mpg and
gobs of power (relatively speaking, of course). But I haven't done the work
commute after that to test this particular idle problem.
As I said, I'm going to clean all the grounds again per the BTDT post, but
do you all have any other ideas? This is darn frustrating.
Thanks much! And it's good to "see" many familiar faces are still here.
Marc Perdue
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