Steve Cotsford wrote:

> When I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, it turned out to be the
> ECU.
> Apparently when the Digijet ECU fails, the injectors are powered open all the
> time and flooding occurs when you crank it.
> I found out my problem by insisting.   I replaced many things and cranked it
> a lot.
> Eventually it fired and ran but smoked really badly.   I then found out it
> would run with the ECU disconnected.    There was so much gasoline in the
> crankcase that it was coming up through the breather and getting into the
> intake and allowing the engine to run.
>

Sounds like this is a somewhat common occurrence...  My '83.5  gave the same
problem to previous owner.  The result is I now have 2 brand new VW ECUs, one in
use and the other in the box in the Van..

            JonR

    BTW, the unused ECU can be had for $250  P/N# 025 906 021, Bosch # 0 280 000
501.  I believe this will fit late '83-'85 Non California.