Yeah, I have been through this myself...
I can only think of the temperature sensor that is located on the
left side on #3 cylider.  It is small and only one wire is there that
sends messages, or false messages, to the brain.
Not cheep, last time I got it for about $40.
Zoltan
---- Original Message ----
From: vanagon@MAIL.SPURGIN.NET
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: 81 won't start in Colorado
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 18:03:30 -0600

>Hey folks.  This is my cry for help.
>
>I drove my 81 fuel injected van in from Texas to Colorado Friday and
>when we got in Saturday morning after about 6 hours rest she
>wouldn't start.  The engine turns over fine but will not fire unless
>we push it and pop the clutch.  Even then she only coughs briefly
>and then dies.  The very first time I cranked her Saturday morning
>she did fire once but didn't start.
>
>There is fuel coming from the little test valve.  We can smell gas
>and the spark plugs are wet after we've been trying to start her.
>We have replaced and gapped the plugs.  We have put a new(er)
>distributor cap on.
>
>Can we try to prime the van by adding a little gas in the air
>intake?  What should I try next?
>
>tia
>
>dylan
>