Wes,

Try disconnecting / bypassing the idle stabilizer unit and see if the
problem goes away.  You can run like this for weeks with the only
drawback being rough idling when the van is cold.

What you describe was one of the annoying things that happened
repeatedly to my 84 a few years back when the idle stabilizer became
defective. (The other was serious bucking while driving.)  This was
before I was a list member and no mechanic I went to could solve it
though they were happy to install lots of parts to "cure" it.

The Idle Stabilizer is a deck of cards sized box on the left hand side
of the engine compartment about 6 inches toward the front from the
coil.  It has two plugs about the size of a finger coming out of the
bottom.  Squeeze these and then plug them into one another.

It may not be the culprit, but it was for me.   It is a $30 replacement
new, less used.  5 minutes at most to swap out if you find this is it.

Good luck.

Sam

--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL, soon to have SA suspension and 15" disc brakes
85 Westy Weekender, new to me 8/01/03
84 Vanagon, original owner, soon to be retired, just too many problems

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