Don't think the Vanagon kick down is vaccuum controlled, check the
kickdown switch or the kickdown switch cable.  On automatic VWs of other
types, the switches used to go bad, never saw a problem with a cable
though--they can be adjusted on Golf (Rabbits) I remember.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jeff Warner
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 1:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Not Downshifting

Hello listmates!

I've finished the rear bearings and gone through all the brakes and can
report that all is right with the world at least as far as bearings and
brakes are concerned.  Now on to the next issue:

The vehicle in question here is my very clean '86 Westy Wolfsburg
Weekender with 97000 miles named Barry.  Barry is an automatic and he
doesn't seem inclined to want to kick down into 2nd or possibly even 1st
(I haven't driven him enough yet to know having just finsihed the
bearings, brakes, etc.).  I suspect that there is a vacumm hose or
kick-down switch issue here but before breaking out the Bentley and
sliding underneath I thought it prudent to ask the list for advice
first.

So, anyone seen this before on their automatic Vanagon?  Anybody want to
give me a clue, hint or detailed step-by-step instructions?  ;-)

Thanks in advance.

PS. For the record and in response to recent posts, I paid $2200 and
drove Barry home.

Jeff Warner
Galloway, Ohio
'86 Westy "Barry"
'87 GL "Van"
Bunch of other
stuff.