Date:         Wed, 20 Mar 1996 10:07:26 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Shawn Wright, SMUS Network Analyst" <swright@smus.bc.ca>
Subject:      88 Surging & Idle updates

After studying my new Bentley book over the weekend, I now have a 
much better understanding of what's what in my 88 Westy. (one comment 
- I was a little disappointed by the Bentley, as compared to the one 
for my Jetta - at 1/2 the price, the Jetta one has much more descriptive 
text on the procedures)

1st I checked the timing - it was right on the mark.
I then did a quick idle adjustment without disconnecting the stuff 
listed in the book, just to see how it drove home from Vancouver. 
Idle seemed to stay between 850-1000 cold & hot now.

Last night, I did the full idle check - unplugged O2 sensor, 
unplugged idle stab. plug near thermostat - it was *very* dirty (not 
sure what effect this would have...), pinched PCV hose, then checked 
throttle switch with a meter. Hmmm. Switch is still open at idle 
position. Full throttle - closes ok. Slowly reduce throttle - 
switch opens.... stays open at idle. hmmm. Tried a few times slowly - same 
thing. I then tried snapping thottle closed quickly - the switch 
closed at idle! This may explain why problems only occur during slow 
steady driving. Tried to adjust switch but small screw is stripped & 
corroded.

How hard is it to remove the throttle body/switch? Is the switch a 
sealed unit, or can I clean it up?

Also another note: I noticed chirping noise & some missing. Checked 
plugs - all were looser than 15ft/lbs, so I removed, applied moly 
grease & torqued in. It nows purrs at 900 rpm!



*--------------------------------*
| Shawn Wright, Network Manager  |
| St. Michaels University School |
| 3400 Richmond Rd, Victoria, BC |
| Canada                 V8P 4P5 |
| (604) 592-2411 Fax: 592-2812   |
| swright@smus.bc.ca             |
*--------------------------------*
I haven't lost my mind;  I'm sure it's backed up on tape somewhere!