If it happened all at once, check the rubber boot just after the afm for
cracks, breaks or whatever.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marshall" <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 6:02 PM
Subject: Need ideas for serious No-start condition, please

> Hi Volks:
>
> Can you please help me by suggesting some things to check to remedy the
> following serious situation(s):
>
> Symptoms:
>
> 0.    My van is blocking the lane!
> 1.    it will turn over, but frequently engine dies immediately; (has gas
> and a
> running fuel pump)
> 2.    Sometimes I can get to run in idle, (and it then does run in idle)
but
> when put into gear
> (automatic), it mostly dies immediately when I lift my foot from the
brake;
> 3.    On occasions when I can get it to go, it bucks ferociously - always
> about to totally die - then catches - but it often does die; (much worse
> than an intermittent afm-caused bucking)
> 4.    turning off ignition and waiting a few moments does not eliminate
the
> symptoms;
> 5.    Warming up the engine does not remedy the symptoms.
>
> What I have done:
>
> 1.    I have opened the afm, and cleaned it, the tracks seem ok.
> 2.    With the Digitool, I have monitored the O2 sensor, and it does seem
> the be near 0.5 V (bouncing around) when the engine is warm  - but this
was
> done during a non-bucking episode;
> 3.    I noticed the afm voltage plummet when a buck happens - but that
seems
> pretty normal to me as when it bucks - the airflow through the afm would
> reduce because it's not producing power at that time.
>
> What I suspect:
>
> 1.    rotor/distributor cap;
> 2.    Maybe something to do with the distributor advance, or timing -
dunno;
> 3.    ground circuits (shot in the dark) - it's been alternating
> freezing/thawing out the last week or so as we approach spring;
> 4.    plug wires - maybe not getting good spark - how do I test this?
(Never
> tested for spark before- what do you do?)
> 5.    ???
>
> Please you guys - any help you could provide me with would be great. (I
had
> to replace a half-axle last week, and got new tires the week before - if I
> cannot remedy this myself it's gonna have to wait until my next paycheck -
> as my condo is being renovated - can't you just hear the sound of money -
> hemorrhaging from me!  ;<) ! ;<(  )
>
> Marshall Ruskin
> 84 Westy "The Weekend PITA"
>