Joe:
This happened to me very recently.
It was the Hall generator inside the distributor.
Replaced generator & reset timing. Also cleaned plugs & replaced fuel filter
during the troubleshooting process.
Good luck.

Dennis Patterson
Vernon, BC
84 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Romas" <jromas@COLUMBUS.RR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: Need ideas for serious No-start condition, please

> 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"
> >