Thank you to everyone who assisted with the vanagon syndrome solution.

I have suffered with VS for a few  years having spent a lot of $$$ for repairs and tows and motels rooms etc….  I had reached a point where I installed a second ECU’s side by side with the original – when the Darling Beasty would chug along or shut down, I would just switch to the other ECU and away we’d go.  Inefficient yes - but workable.

Following the best advice the list has to offer, I inspected my engine grounds.  I found the left side engine ground (behind the water pump) completely corroded off at the body.  I replaced the ground with a “big fat” copper wire and re-attached to very clean and shiny metal parts.  I also installed the capacitor fix on the ACM (16uf/22v).

The Beasty had been working well all summer, but without a serious test.  We just returned from a five day 850 mile jaunt through the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State.  We drove for hours at 65mph; climbed up steep hills in 3rd gear; engine braked down steep hills; stopped and started many times – without a single chug.  I think I can say, with fingers crossed, that we have it tackled.

Now if I could just get the tranny to hold better in first gear, replace the heater fan switch, get the AC working, install a new radio antenna, quiet the slider, stop the leak on the skyvent and replace the side window screens.

Larry, thanks for the capacitor.

Ed
84’ Westy