Doktor Tim,

Thank you for your help.  I am going to start prowling the auto parts stores
tomorrow morning.  I figure the minimum is cap rotor and ignition control
module.  I appreciate your insight on which brands to buy.  The key for
family peace is a working Vanagon as my Wife hates to get up early and take
me to work in the Pontiac van.  If I strike out at the local parts stores
than I will have to see what the list vendors can get me for Tuesday or
Wednesday delivery and figure put the necessary peace offering for home.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2000 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: DEAD in my garage on New Year's Day

> At 12:09 PM 01/01/2000 -0800, you wrote:
> >To: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
> >From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@rockisland.com>
> >Subject: Re: DEAD in my garage on New Year's Day
> >
> >
> >Replace the ignition module, cap and rotor. Heavy loading of the
cap/rotor
> >contacts and the center carbon are evidence of an ignition module
problem,
> >typically.
>
>
> Also typical of Ignition Module failure mode is intermitant function.
Spark
> sometimes, sometimes weak and sometimes not at all. Follow the Bentley
test
> procedures for empirical proof of fuction or lack thereof during event.
> Just making the the timing light flash is conclusive of intermitant
> function only.
>
> The undervoltage/over amperage evidence of the cap/rotor is telling,
> empirical evidence of an ignition problem which is controled by the module
> in responce to the Hall sensor. Modules fail with twice the frequency of
> Hall sensors, unless it is the genuine Bosch module that the dealers don't
> sell. The Bosch item is far less prone to failure than the Fairchild and
> Telefunken units and it costs more to build in this durability and
> resistance to attack from other glitches with which it has to deal.
>
>
> T.P. Stephens aka Doktor Tim
> Surveyor, Mechanic, Poet, Philosopher
> San Juan Island, WA