Date:         Fri, 22 May 1998 02:57:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Mark Rokus <marokus@VOYAGER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Rokus <marokus@VOYAGER.NET>
Subject:      Re: intermittent nostart/stalling disease
Comments: To: Frank Terhaar-Yonkers <fty@CISCO.COM>
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Frank Terhaar-Yonkers wrote:

> Rant, rant, rant -
>
> Now *both* my Vans ('86 GL & '88 Westy) have flaky FI/ignition systems.
>
> The symptom (when running) is the tach drops to zero and it's like the ignition
> is turned off.  Sometimes this is brief, other times longer (seconds) and every
> now and then it *stays off*.  When it stays off, turning the ignition switch
> off and back on usually restarts it.
>
> The other case, is where the the van has been off and you try to start it.
> Just cranks, no spark (and no tach).  Repeated quick retrys usually result
> in a start.  Recently on the '86, it wouldn't start at all.  The computer
> had been sitting on a foam cushion where I left it last time I cleaned the
> connector contacts - the van had been running perfect for weeks since the
> cleaning.  A sharp rap on the computer box resulted in an immediate
> start and it's been running perfectly since ..
>
> Damn Bosh FI!
>
> Some of the things I've done:
>         cleaned grounds/contacts/connectors/relays
>         checked inside of computer for obvious problems
>         new hall effect sender
>         coil swap
>
> Seems it must be the brain box and/or it's connector or it's wiring harness.
> But on both vans at the same time?
>
> Sheesh ..
>
> \\\\////\\\\////\\\\\////\\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\
> Frank Terhaar-Yonkers
> Cisco Systems, Inc.
> Cat3900 Software Team
> 7025 Kit Creek Road  PO Box 14987
> Research Triangle Park,  North Carolina  27709
> fty@cisco.com   voice (919)472-2101   FAX (919)472-2940

  Have you tried the "re-solder" job that I think Don Lancaster suggested?