It could be a worn ignition switch (Having too many doo-dads on your
key-chain).  Had the same symptoms once.
Wiggle your keys vigorously while your driving to check.
Just a thought.

Alfred
85 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Finkbiner" <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 1:19 PM
Subject: Engine Cutting Out at Highway Speed

> Volks-
>
> I just sent in a long post about concerns with my recently installed
> re-built engine.  Another problem that has cropped up is certainly not
> related to the engine itself, but to the control systems, so I am posting
> this separately.
>
> Last fall I had an episode where I was driving down the road, and the
engine
> just cut out for an eyeblink.  It did that several times one afternoon.  I
> noticed once that the tach needle dropped a lot, but each time it was too
> brief to look at the gauges or the digitool readings.
>
> Joel Walker and another helpful soul suggested that the ECU might be
> grounding against the bolt on the westy back seat, so I taped over that.
It
> happened once more, and then not again over the winter.
>
> After I put my new engine in, I put about 800 miles on with no cutting out
> problems.  In the last month, however, on a couple of short road trips, it
> has happened several times.
>
> In both cases I drove 60 miles in the morning with no problems, and then
in
> the evening coming back, I had three or four episodes where for an
eyeblink,
> the engine cut out.  Yesterday I was driving with my lights on, and
noticed
> that when it happened, the digitool lights would go off, and the tach
needle
> would drop a lot. The dash lights and radio stayed on.
>
> With the engine running I have tried -
>
> tapping on the case the ecu is mounted in with a hammer
> wiggling the wire connector to the ecu
> wiggling all of the wires and connections I could find in the engine
> compartment
> vigorously moving the key in the ignition
>
>
> Ran fine.
>
> I am considering -
>
> Only driving in the morning
> Replacing the ECU with my spare (unfortunately not set up to connect to
the
> digitool)
> Finding more connections to wiggle
>
> It doesn't look like it's the main power system, or the dashboard lights
and
> radio would have cut off.  Last year I went through all of the grounds I
> could find, cleaned the connections and applied connector grease, so it
> could be a ground problem, but I don't think so.
>
> Is there a relay I should check?
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
>
> - Mike Finkbiner
> '87 Westy
> Moscow, Idaho
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