Yes, the Golf system is different.  If I recall, its ECU gets info from
the engine speed/TDC sensor and fine tunes the timing based on the
signal from the "camshaft position" sensor at the distributor.  I can't
check this in the Bentley because it's with the car in Texas and I'm in
Chicago.  I was somewhat surprised when I pulled the connector at the
distributor and the engine didn't stop.

Larry A.

Vince S wrote:
> Larry,
>
> I could be wrong as the ignition on my 89 Vanagon never gave me problem
> so I am not too up to speed on the exact working principal. Being the
> hall sensor in the distributor it must also used by the ignition to time
> the spark plugs in each cylinder while the ECU also use this signal for
> fuel injection management. How can the hall sensor fail and the engine
> still run? You will lost ignition or the timing be all over the place in
> the case of the metal rotor which triggers the Hall sensor is loose from
> the distributor shaft.
>
> Does your Golf has a separate sensor for the ignition timing generation?
>
>
> - Vince
>
> http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
> 1989 Vanagon GL Camper
> 1993 Mazda Miata (for sale)
> 1996 Land Rover Discovery
> 2005 Mini Cooper S
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Larry Alofs
> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 6:03 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: The "syndrome" solutions
>
>
> I have not had Hall sensor problems with a Vanagon, but I just went thru
> it with a '94 Golf.  This one would fail intermittently, which made it
> so much more interesting to track down.  On the Golf it doesn't kill the
> engine, it just puts it into a default mode which was rich enough to
> make it fail emissions testing.  I finally caught it in the act using an
> oscilloscope (not convenient on the road).  You may be able to monitor
> it with an LED.  In the Golf, the ECU supplies +5 V and the Hall
> circuitry in the distributor makes and breaks a connection to ground.  I
> don't know if the Vanagon approach is the same.
>    I don't even know if an '85 has a Hall sensor.
>
> good luck,
> Larry A.
>
>
> Mark Edwards wrote:
>
>>A friend has a water cooled 85 that cuts out for no obvious reason.
>>Drives on the freeway, warmed up, or just starting out, and it cuts
>>out. Pull off the road, and it starts back up again. Sit at a light,
>>and it just shuts off. Then starts back up. It has never left him
>>stranded, but his wife is demanding that he sell the van, as she does
>>not care for the stress involved.
>>
>>I have been through the archives, and its loaded with lots of
>>information, ideas, and things to try,  but what I am not going to
>>find in there, at least very easily, are reports from folks who have
>>actually solved  this kind of issue, and what the resolution is.
>>
>>In order not to keep refilling the archives with everyone's ideas and
>>opinions, for which I am grateful, is it possible to just receive some
>
>
>>posts from those who have actually "lived through" this with the
>>results of what you did to fix the problem? I am guessing there are
>>multiple variations on the symptoms, but hearing from folks who have
>>actually fixed their vans would be really appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks for any replies.
>>
>>Mark
>>
>
>