Sounds remarkably like an ignition module.  Is the stock one present (flat
device with cooling fins, bolted to left side wall, wired to distributor
and coil)?

d

At 08:30 AM 1/19/00 -0700, Sean Garrett wrote:
>drivers side there is a (aftermarket brand) 2"x4" do-hickey that has cooling
>fins on it. about 4-5 wires come out of it and have been cut and are
>disconnected. Sorry but I can't remember the brand name. What is this?
>
>BTW my van is not parked at my house and its hard to get time to work on it.
>Also it is a salvage yard special that was (is) not running. I am restoring

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"