on 10/20/03 8:23 AM, sam.cooks at sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET wrote:

> 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
>
> All incoming and outgoing email scanned by
> automatically updated copy of Norton AntiVirus.
Is this the same as the Idle Stabilizer Control Unit found at Busdepot?
This one costs $189?  I have been running our '87 for most of the Summer
with it disconnected on the advice of our mechanic.

So far, no problems.  We don't drive the Westy in the Winter.  Is it OK to
run without one?

Pete
'87 Westy "Joe's Van"