Thanks Joel,

You're right, some of my symptoms are different than Ty's.
My power loss, often followed by stalled engine, did not
necessarily occur at the end of a long, downhill, near-coast.
And it was not always at high altitude, but usually.  Like Ty's
beast, she always started up again on the first crank.
    Several Vanagon folks on another bulletin board said they'd
had the problem as well & it had been "cured" by installing a
"wiring harness."  The tough thing about a problem of this sort
is that it is had to know if the problem is fixed until you drive it
quite a while after attempting a cure.
    I hope by the time I am ready to try something, I'll have found
a mechanic I know I can trust.  The elusive VW Guru!
Your feedback always much appreciated!
Phaedra
'85 Westy-Wolf
"Hester"