It only reminds me to some connection failure.  And that connection maybe
just fine otherwise.  It can be a little loose, a little corroded and it is
most likely a ground.  The matching parts are not shiny metals.  It may have
something to do with the computer's response to sudden switch off too.
I am in the dark when it comes to electrical puzzles too.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Burchill" <scott@ZOPEWORKS.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 6:14 AM
Subject: Engine stops, then restarts itself ... sometimes

> Help!
>
> '87 Westy 192,000 miles, and climbing
>
> Engine is running.  Engine stops running, like the ignition switch is
> turned off.  All electrical for the rest of the car seems fine: all
> dashboard elec. is fine, anyway.  If I'm moving when this happens, most
> of the time I can just take my foot off the gas and coast with the
> clutch engaged and the key still in the on position and the engine will
> re-start before I come to a complete halt.  The times when I have come
> to a complete stop before the engine kicks back on, I obviously attempt
> to start.  The starter cranks, no problem, but no engine starting.  I
> have been stuck anywhere from a couple seconds to 45 minutes before
> restarting.  When the engine restarts it sounds perfect, just like
> nothing happened.
>
> Specifically during the 45 minutes stoppage I fiddled with every elec.
> connection I could find around the engine.  Everything seemed tight.  I
> had never done this before, always just waiting a couple minutes between
> start attempts.  Fiddling didn't seem to help, in fact it might have
> hurt since I was stuck for so long.
>
> Bumps (rubble strips) in the road have caused the problem on one occasion.
>
> This has happened seconds after starting the van cold and sitting still
> and after having driven without incident for hours, i.e. heat doesn't
> seem to be an issue.  This has happened when the van in in motion and
> when not in motion.  It's been happening on and off for about three
> years.  I can go months without it ever happening, then it will happen
> almost every trip for a few months.  I might happen once during an hour
> long trip or a number of times during a quick trip to the local grocery.
>   Doesn't seem to have anything to do with weather (dry, wet, cold, hot,
> etc) or time of year.
>
> At this point I have no other issues with my van
>
> Sorry for the long description, and Thank You, In Advance, for any
> comments, suggestions, help, etc.
>
> --
>
> sbb
>
> \:)>
>    /:(>