Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sun, 12 Oct 1997 21:00:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Ed McLean <mcleans@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Ed McLean <mcleans@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Idle Stabilizer fix?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Idle problems

My '86 Westi has developed the sudden racing idle problem. I've unplugged the idle stabilizer and the engine now idles smoothly at 800 rpm but it chokes with the air conditioning on. When I plug the idle stabilizer back in it idles at 1050 rpm for a while and then suddenly races to 2000 to 4000 rpm. The idle falls to 800 rpm when it is again unplugged.

There have been several reports over the past few months with this same problem and it seems from the mail that the problem is a sticky idle stabilizer valve. Is this correct? Has anyone had any success cleaning or repairing these little beasts? I have tried using penetrating oil and WD40 and while this removes a lot of crud, it doesn't seem to help the problem. When people have replaced the idle stabilizer valve has this corrected the problem?

I've looked over the recent mail on this subject and I've not been able to reach a consensus on whether the cause of the problem is the idle stabilizer or the ECU.

If you've had this problem, please e-mail me a description of your experiences and I will post a summary to the list.

Thanks, Ed McLean North Carolina '86 Westi, 180K


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.