Date:         Sat, 26 Sep 2020 09:22:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Idle question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Good day everyone -

I am curious to know whether other stock vanagons typically - when started,
spike very briefly to about 2000 rpm for several milliseconds and then drop
to about 950?  Eventually as the vehicle warms the idle drops a little bit
more to about 900 rpm for regular operation.

That has always been the way my van (2.1 digifant) has started when
healthy.  I replaced the control unit about 2 years ago after having a
fluctuating idle that would slowly begin to increase to 1800 to 2500 to
3000 rpm as the van warmed up and when the van was in neutral or stopped
with the clutch in.

During this issue - I swapped out the ICU with one I borrowed from a
mechanic I have known for many years and everything went back to normal and
so I ordered a new ICU and haven't looked back.  Again the start up process
whether with the borrowed or the new ICU had the very quick spike in rpm
once started - enough to kick the battery / alternator indicator off and
then would settle down to about 900 rpm or so.

Last week - I started the van and the idle was flat - no quick spike and
just set high enough not to stall - about 850 rpm or so.  I had to nurse
the motor a little with the throttle for about a minute and then give it a
little gas to shut off the battery indicator.

Once I get through the rough idle on start up - it drives fine.  The idle
stabilizer vibrates with key on and prior to start up and the throttle body
"clicks" in the low throttle and higher throttle position.  I plan to go
back and try out another ICU - but before doing this I wanted to know if
this sounds like a problem with the ICU or whether it could be another
gremlin lurking in the engine compartment.

Other than this little issue - we have a great summer of camping and
problem free driving.

Bruce

86 Syncro Westy