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Subject:Engine Computer Software Glitch???
From:Fred S.
Date:Thu, 24 May 2001 23:46:09 MDT

Hi List!

I'll bet you can't figure this one out!  I have an '85 Westy with 190,000
miles I've owned for 15 years.  The Problem:  At EXACTLY (and ONLY) between
2900 and 3000 RPM my engine misfires badly or cuts out altogether.  Under
slight load when this happens it feels like you're on a commercial airliner
and hit strong turbulence.  It doesn't do this all the time, but very
frequently.  The engine must be warmed up.  The gas pedal is not floored.  It
may happen more frequently at higher elevations (>3,000 ft), but I can't swear
to this.  Once I get above the 3000 RPM, the engine performs nicely again.

I sent out a request for help to the list, but had no winners.  My mechanic
says the problem is in the computer, but I don't see how.  This problem just
started to occur 3 months ago.  This doesn't seem like a computer problem to
me.  Here're the other clues!:

I've replaced the following (in part thanks to suggestions from the list):
-  O2 sensor
-  Air flowmeter (with a re-built)
-  Ignition wires, rotor cap, and rotor.

Here're some more clues:

-  The idle throttle switch checks out with an ohmeter.
-  I've unpluged the idle stabilizer plugs and plugged them together with no
improvement.
-  I've replaced the rings and rod bearings, machined the heads, and replaced
the head gaskets to fix high oil consumtion and stop coolant from leaking past
the head gaskets.
-  I haven't replaced the Hall Effect instrument (yet?).

Can anyone help?  I've had a couple responses from my previous post that said
they were having a similar problem!

Thanks!
Fred

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