Thanks Mike, The VW dealer I took it to said they checked the grounds.  Of
course, I reason to believe that they are not the most reliable mechanics
around.  After the initial service (that did not solve the problem) I gave
them a list of questions about what the mechanic who worked on it, after
they told me that they do not allow customers to directly talk with
mechanics.  They have still not answered my questions 5 days later.  I will
follow up on the grounds.  Appreciate the help, Jeff

>From: "Mike Collum" <collum@verizon.net>
>To: "Jeff Hartman" <jeffhartman11@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re:      86 Vanagon unstable idle
>Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 23:49:51 -0500
>
>Jeff,
>
>The fact that it changes with electrical load leads me to think it could be
>a problem with electrically dirty connectors and/or grounds.  It can be
>surprising how a bad ground at one end of the machine can effect equipment
>at the other end, too.
>
>Mike
>Houlton, Maine
>'84 GL 7 pass
>'85 GL Westy
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jeff Hartman" <jeffhartman11@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 11:28 PM
>Subject: 86 Vanagon unstable idle
>
>
> > Hi, I have been struggling with an unstable idle. It is very cyclic and
>the
> > cycles and frequency increase with an electric load (fans etc.)  With
>the
>O2
> > sensor and temp sensor replaced, and other tuneup adjustments made, the
>VW
> > dealership claims I need a mass airflow sensor.  This was determined
>without
> > any computer diagnostics.  In fact the dealer's service department says
>that
> > their new computer testing equipment no longer can test our obsolete
> > Vanagons.
> >
> > I don't have a lot of faith in them, so do you have any ideas of whether
> > they are right and what I should test next?  I made a cursory review of
>the
> > archives over a couple of recent years, without finding this exact
>problem
> > described.
> > Thanks, Jeff Hartman
> > Juneau, Alaska
> > 86 2.1 Vanagon
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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>
>

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