Thanks to those who tried to help from JERO.

The problem on his 85 L turned out to be an aftermarket tachometer wire which
was shorting out behind the dash.

Some Jiffy-Lube mechanic figured it out.

Several "Vanagon Gurus" have also had a hand in trying to figure out why this
van was cutting out at times. Changed all the usual stuff. As it turns out,
it's this very same wire which was the culprit.

BenT
San Francisco