Thanks to each of you great guys who have offered
suggestions.  This is the Vanagon List operating
at its finest!

Larry Alofs asked if I had checked the Temp II
sensor.  It is new, but then I looked at my list
of things and one of the last things I did before
the trouble began again today was to recheck the
timing, which requires that I unplug the Temp II
sensor.  So, I went outside and checked it.  It was
plugged in.  So I unplugged it and plugged it back
in.  Started Billy and he idled fine.  Drove him
more than 10 miles and he ran beautifully.  As I
started back home, he began to load up again.

I got home.  Unplugged the Temp II sensor again
and replugged it.  Started, but soon loaded up
again.  I cut it off.  Then when I tried to start
it again, the engine would not turn over at all,
not even the starter will turn (like a bad starter
connection).  I rocked the bus back and forth in
second gear and tried again, but no start.

Now I'm beginning to think I've got a short
somewhere in the system that is causing this
problem.  It may not have anything to do with the
Temp II sensor, but it may be that by wriggling
those wires around I'm doing making some contact.

Jack has suggested that maybe the coil is going
out.  The previous owner told me he replaced the
coil more than once on this bus... mmmm.

Mike Boland suggested that I check to see if the
brown wire from the Hall sender is grounded to the
left head.  I really don't know, Mike.  Where does
that wire originate and where should it be attached?

I think we're getting close to solving this mystery.
I'm beginning to believe that there is a wire or
connector on the left side of the engine that is
causing this problem. Possibly a short, possibly
a loose wire.  Please keep this think-tank going.
I have a headlamp so I can go to the driveway and
try things all night.

My best to you all,

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones"
87 GL