On a dark dry night take a spray bottle of water out, remove the hatch cover
and with the engine running, spray the ignition wires from the distributor
to the spark plugs including the one to the coil. You'll most likely see
sparks jumping and that means you need a new set of plug wires. If you
remove and replace them one at a time you should not have any problems.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Mccallum" <MEBTIM@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 3:34 PM
Subject: vanagon will not start when it rains

> Hey list I need your help,I just moved to up state California with my 1987
> vanagon.And when it rains it does not start.engine turns over great just
does
> not fire.When its dry out it runs just fine.Also I need to know of any
good
> shops around the Travis Air Force area
>