I would check the fuel relay's connection points. They can corrode. Pull the relays and check them. I HAVE seen this issue on my 1981, 2 times in the past. Van just died, dead in the water. Pulled the relays, cleaned them up a little with a wire brush. Stuck them back in and started right up... on my way down the road.

I always keep a wire brush in my van now !

Sean Garrett
81 Westy (his)
95 EVC (hers)
87 Syncro (2.5L Subie project)
82 Parts Vanagon (need a part ?)
Central Arizona

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of John Carpenter
> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 9:27 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 91(bus) dead on the freeway tech expertise needed !
> 
> 
> Thanks Joel,
> I went down to the bus this morning, and there is No fuel 
> pump, initial surge. Also no spark. I will change the key 
> switch first, then test those relays.
> What is the best way to check them?
> Thanks for your help!
> John C.
> SLC, UT
> 91 Westy...
> 
> In a message dated 1/28/2004 8:45:02 AM Eastern Standard 
> Time, jwalker17@earthlink.net writes:
> 
> >
> >   Subj:  Re:      91 dead on the freeway tech expertise needed !
> >   Date:  1/28/2004 8:45:02 AM Eastern Standard Time
> >   From:  "Joel Walker" <jwalker17@earthlink.net>
> >   To:  <Trvlr2001@AOL.COM>
> >   Sent from the Internet (Details)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > and there is no gas smell either.
> > > There doesn't appear to be any spark.
> > > Could it be an ignition relay of some kind?
> >
> > could be a dead coil. but check those two relays in the black box
> > above the coil first. they control the power to the fuelpump and the
> > injectors. you already know the pump is working, so you 
> could swap the
> > relays positions and see if that makes the pump NOT work ... if so,
> > that's your problem.
> >
> > you might also try wiggling the ignition key. could be the switch ..
> > they tend to go bad after many years. but if the pump was 
> running and
> > the starter was turning, it seems to not be too likely.
> >
> > the only relay i know of on the starter circuit is the 
> load-reduction
> > relay .. it shuts off things like headlights, heater fans, 
> and such so
> > the battery doesn't get drained if you try to start the bus
> > with those
> > items on.
> >
> > good luck!
> > joel
>