I've got the same problem on an 87' Westy and I've narrowed it down to
the ECU grounding or it's input sensors. Either the ignition switch
on/off or full accelerator switch will clear the problem up for a few
miles.  The VW dealer ($168....no fix)did find some sensor wires that
had fallen on the exhaust manifold and taped them up. That's where I'll
start when the temperature goes up a few degrees (20 F here)

Mark Rovere 
(860) 659-2220  x137 

-----Original Message-----
From: EMZ [mailto:vw4x4@FYI.NET] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 9:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 86 intermittently cuts out -MN

The next time it cats updo the on/off trick with the ignision switch. If
it starts running good for the next few miles, itis a computer related
problem. If it is, unplug the O2 and drive. If it still acts up,
re-attach O2, and start looking at the temp. sensor.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003, Todd Brutlag wrote:

> Van gradually shuts on/off at freeway speeds til it barely runs.Could 
> not restart so was brought to shop. Charged $640 for plugs, oil,cat 
> conv.,oxy sensor,3 hrs. labor,and adjustments.They told me at first 
> the ECM was dumping fuel, (that's why they replaced my new oil & 
> plugs)then did the other work.They said it ran fine but it did the 
> same thing after driving it for about an hour on the freeway.I took it

> back to the shop and they suggested replacing the wiring harness for 
> the air flow meter ($180 plus labor-$83/hr). I said maybe later as my 
> cash is low.Found solution of soldering 22 microfarrad capacitor ($3) 
> to terminals inside air flow meter.(see 
> www.geocities.com/harald_nancy/intermitt._syndrome.htm).That didn't 
> fix it.Friend suggested gas cap not venting fuel tank and creating 
> vacuum.Will try that next.I also notice that when the problem happens 
> the engine temp is at the cooler end of white area  and the fuel guage

> shows empty instead of half full.Any help appreciated.Thanx.
>