I had a scirocco 16 V act like that,  poor battery ground.  I used a jumper cable to make a temporary ground from the engine block to the battery(-) post.  It worked like champ after I replaced the original ground strap.

Matt
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dan Eggert 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 2:07 PM
  Subject: Need your help

  Hello Everyone,
  Right now my van is stuck down at the local grocery store where it decided to just stop running.
  Last week I changed the fuel tank along with the fuel line and fuel filter.  This last weekend I took it out on a 400 mile trip with no problems except when I was almost home for some reason the fasten seat belt light came on for a breif moment and the engine reved up.  The problem went away.  On my way out today, the van just quit for no apparent reason and then I was able toget it started again.  I thought I had snubbed it out because it was when I was starting out.  On my way back, as I was turning a corner, it died!
  When I turn the key, everything is normal, it even kicks over, but as soon as there is life it dies!  Even if I try to give it gas.
  I am guessing that I might have a short somewhere.  When I had taken the fuel tank out, I also removed the wiring harness for the heat booster and I left a few wires hanging without taping them up.  When I looked at them just now, they were not touching and didn't look like they were shorting out.
  Any ideas as to where I should start looking?  I'm getting it towed home right now so I can work on it.
  Thank you everyone.

  Eggz

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