Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:50:06 -0500
Reply-To: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Mystery starting issue 85 auto
In-Reply-To: <D5B449EE-E656-48C5-8682-B254DE538EF8@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Sometime in the late 1990's I purchased an '84 Vanagon. I had the same problem until
a mechanic at a local TBA store found the problem. The contacts between the FI cable
and the FI computer had gotten dirty. He cleaned them up, and problem went away.
After that, I always cleaned them a few times a year. Problem never happened again.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Mystery starting issue 85 auto
Date: 12/21/2023 08:16:18 PM
Hi listers,
I’m hoping folks can help.
Today, roads clear of salt I took the bus for a run to Keen NH about 20 miles away.
After a visit to Harbor freight, got to love this new adjustable socket wrench, we
tried to start the van to leave.
The van seemed to start, and then immediately died.
This kept happening.
I called my local mechanic that had recently done some work. He thought
vacuum issue and I checked hoses.
His wife then offered to drive over and check out the issue and do a video call if
needed.
So, we waited for about 15 minutes in 35 degrees weather.
We, let the van cool to see if that might make a difference.
When My mechanic’s better half arrived she checked hoses, and connections,
all looked good. She checked both on and under the van.
We then tried to start the van…
And, it started.
Nothing seemed wrong.
But, we didn’t turn it off incase it didn’t start.
We drove to mechanic, and things seemed to look good over all.
We noted one issue I’ll mention separately.
We made a plan, I would take it home, and if it doesn’t start when hot I
would bring it back in the Spring to have this addressed.
So, we drove it home. And, I tried to start the van once it was safe in the garage.
And…
No start. It starts, but rather then idling it dies. And, I mean dies like the key
is turned off.
When van is completely cooled down it might take two tries, but the van starts, idles
and runs fine.
This is a GW 2.3 with GW engine management.
I’d love to figure this out before spring.
So, any suggestions from folks as to what to look for or try?
Eric Caron
85 Auto GW 2.3
