Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2017 10:57:01 -0800
Reply-To: stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: I'll try this again - Idling issues
In-Reply-To: <CAK9Aa+kM_Zf5uCbpqAUR7awE9+8gnDFGxsYmMVTerJjPYrAEoA@mail.gmail.com>
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Likely idle control module: http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=23468 This can cause an amazing variety of problems like this. Find a fellow owner or shop that can swap a good one in to check. You can find them used on The Samba for around $100, but they don't last. BTDT.
Loss of dash lighting is a foil problem. After several foil repairs on two different foils I fixed it permanently: https://www.vanagon.org/products/instrument-cluster-foil-repair-kit I chose this over Go Westy's because there is no circuit board to mess with, just hook up a few wires and plug it in. Cheaper too, made in South Africa.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Todd
Sent: Saturday, December 9, 2017 10:04 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: I'll try this again - Idling issues
Hi - I sent this out about 2 weeks ago but I think the server issues stopped the email from reaching anyone. A couple of things to ask for help on.
Number 1
I have a recent idling problem that I am hoping to get some advice on - knowing that this could possibly be a myriad of problems and not easy to diagnose. This is a 1986 Digifant.
Van starts - and idles at about 1000 rpm - all is good. After about 5 minutes under load (partial warm-up) rpm climb to 3000 rpm and then does not return to normal idle rpm. The can fluctuate will from 3000 to 1000 then back up to 3000 - however when driving, the van responds fine (doesn't hesitate or buck) just idles high when in neutral or when clutch is pushed in.
So for now - I have unplugged the idle stabilizer and the idle has come down to about 900 rpm and the van operates fairly normally other than requires a little more warm up time so it doesn't stall under load. Idle stabilizer is vibrating as it should. Noticing the van runs really well when cold for about 10 minutes and then begins to hesitate a little when accelerating in first gear from a stop. This issue has been on-going for awhile prior to the fluctuating rpm & unplugging the idle stabilizer.
The other item is that my instrument cluster lights no longer come on - they were working intermittently but now have not come on for over 3 weeks. Any typical failure points?
Driving in cool wet weather these days...Pacific Northwest winter.
Anyway I am turning it over to you folks to see what thoughts come up.
Thanks,
Bruce
86 Syncro Westy