Date:         Fri, 23 Oct 1998 07:05:24 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Wont start.  need help
Comments: To: Earl Smith <earlsmit@ISLANDNET.COM>,
          "vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>

Went to start the engine to make certain I got the joint tight and-
nothing.  Turns over fine.  Won't fire.  Strong smell of gas.
Checked for gas leaks.  Nada
Pulled plugs on 3 and 4.  Great spark.  Both plugs wet.  Checked rotor
position. Right on TDC for 1 and 3 ( Or is it 4.  Still not confident on
cylinder numbering.)
Changed the CPU for my spare which I know is OK.  Rien.
Checked all the electrical connections.  Everything connected.  Looked in
the troubleshooting section of Haynes.  Couldn't see any helpful checks or
suggestions.
Soooo - If there is spark and gas and the timing is OK, why won't the
~!@#$%&* thing fire?

Suggestions most humbly and gratefully accepted.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Earl-

Had a similar problem on a 1976 van... I had done something equally
unrelated, like changing the tranny fluid. Never figured our exactly what
caused it to not start, but changing the plugs fixed it. The plugs got
soaked while I tried over and over again (like the Jar-head that I am) to
start the thing. New set of Bosch solved it. Started first go around.


G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free