Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 16:02:22 -0500
Reply-To: Woody Halsey <WoodyHalsey@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Woody Halsey <WoodyHalsey@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject: Woody's stumbling, carpets for 83.5
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Dear List,
STUMBLING
Some of you may recall my numerous posts last summer as I tried to figure
out why my 83.5 Vanagon was hiccupping and stumbling at 20, 35, and 50 MPH.
Many of you kindly made many suggestions to remedy the problem. I tried
most of them, but continue to have the rough performance four months later.
Parts I replaced with new or used-known-good ones, all to no avail,
included:
1) ECU
2) AFM
3) exhaust system and O2 sensor
4) Temp II sensor
5) spark plug wires
6) rotor and distributor cap
7) air filter
8) main ground strap
I also cleaned all plugs and contacts I could get my hands on, watched my
mechanic install a couple of additional ground wires from the ECU housing
to the block, as suggested by Darrell, and asked him to make sure the
vacuum hoses were all good. Still, the engine stumbled, sometimes badly, at
specific RPM levels.
Finally, yesterday, I think we came up with the culprit: It seems to be the
wire that goes from the little green box next to the coil to the
distributor. The housing on the side of the distributor where the wire
plugs in has partially broken away from the body of the distributor.
Wiggle it and the engine gags. Make sure it is hugging the body of the
distributor and she runs fine, at least for a while. At first I thought the
problem was in the corroded and cracked connections at each end of the
triple wire, so I replaced that with the same one from my parts car, which
was much better shape. But the problem persists, so I am concluding that it
lies in the loose part at the distributor.
My questions are: has anyone experienced a similar problem? do you think my
theory can be correct? and can that plastic housing which receives the
plug be replaced separately? (I am not eager to spend $500 for a new
distributor.)
CARPET
Finally, an unrelated question: Does anyone know a source of full carpets
(not mats) for the 83.5, original or similar. The dealers say they no
longer carry them and Rocky Mtn et al. don't have them, yet anyway.
Or, has anyone ever replaced the carpet in the front compartment by cutting
and gluing? I have done so many times, but only using a flat piece that
does not go up the sides on the right of the driver's feet and to the left
of the passenger's feet. That treatment looks OK and is cheap and easy to
do with a carpet remnant, but now I am trying to get back to the original
plush look and feel, with all metal surfaces covered... any advice will be
much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Woody
