Marc,
First I would check the distributor and Hall sensor,
which should be in the distributor on the '87.
Check the wire that exits the distributor where it
makes a sharp bend.
Next thing I would try to hook up another ecu to
 see if it makes a difference.
Sounds like a case for Darrell's digitool.
Harald
'90 westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Perdue" <marcperdue@ADELPHIA.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 5:38 PM
Subject: My Westy abandoned me for the second time this year :(

> Hi all,
>
> I need some help . . . or rather, the local VW dealership needs some
> help.  I was preparing to go to a festival this weekend.  I filled up
> with gas, went to the grocery store and headed out of town.  I had to
> stop at the first rest area that I got to and when I came back to the
> van, it wouldn't start.  It's an '87, automatic.  The engine turned over
> just fine, but it wouldn't catch.  Never had a problem starting before.
> I had it towed to the dealership where they had two men working on it
> all day (!).  All they can say is that there seems to be an electrical
> problem and that the spark plugs are only firing once out every four
> times.  Has anybody got any ideas as to what might be causing this?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,
> Marc Perdue
>