Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 11:48:34 -0800
Reply-To: Philip Baird <pactor@COMMUNITYONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Philip Baird <pactor@COMMUNITYONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Had to cancel trip.....Help!
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Phil Dennis wrote:
> Okay, normally I am only a lurker, but after having been frustrated
> with
> this time and again and finally finding the problem, I am compelled to
>
> respond. I have an 87GL and this same thing happened to me after the
> muffler shop replaced my O2 sensor. The wires did not get rewrapped
> and the
> moisture from the rain splashing on the wires was, IMHO sending bad
> data to
> the 'brain',and was therefore running rough. Most people I tell this
> to
> call me a liar and say that it is impossible. (because of this I am
> nervous
> about responding and getting flamed) But, I have proved this with a
> squirt
> bottle and a little water. Hope this helps.
>
> Phil
> 87 GL-Ginger
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Philip Baird [SMTP:pactor@COMMUNITYONLINE.NET]
> > Sent: Saturday, October 24, 1998 12:25 PM
> > To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Had to cancel trip.....Help!
> >
> > I have an '85 GL Vanagon. Its been missing lately so took it in to
> my
> > local VW dealer last week. He couldn't find anything wrong. This
> > morning, after a good rain during the night, got in and took off.
> After
> > about a block, the Vanagon started missing so bad that I couldn't
> hardly
> > accelerate. I had to 'feather' the engine just to make it back to
> the
> > house! I've got a feeling that my problem has something to do with
> either
> > the moisture in the air or water coming up into the engine from
> > underneath. My plug wires are only about a year old.
> >
> > Anybody got any ideas?
> >
> > Phil in Vacaville, Ca.
> >
Phil, your are right on, sir.
I received several replies from kind list members. One suggested that I
get a spray bottle of water and start squirting around the engine
(running) until it started stumbling. Another member just came right
out and said it was the oxygen sensor. Well, I put two and two
together. I sprayed the sensor and wire with water
and....yep....induced the problem! The single wire you mentioned is
really suspect. It looks like just a piece of zip wire you would find
in electronic gear. No special insulation/protection. You would think
that since it's exposed to the underside of the vehicle AND the road,
that some special heavy duty insulation would be covering the
wire....and perhaps there was, at one time. Anyhow, thinking about just
wrapping with black plastic electrical tape. Is that what you did?
So, alas, at least the problem seems to have been identified If anyone
on the list has a better idea of how to provide better
electrical/mechanical protection for the wire, I sure would like to hear
about it.
Phil, I want to thank you and the other list members for your replies.
Long live the list!
Phil in Vacaville, Ca.
'85 Vanagon GL
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