New idle stabilizer solved my problem on an 83 1.9 wbx.  (at least it
solved that idle problem.)  I suspect that the real source of my idle
problem was a vacuum leak.  However, I was not able to find the leak.
After numerous other fixes, I tried the idle control stabilizer and
suddenly I was able to idle my van in the parking lot.  Since I have
auto trans, it was kind of a pain for the van to keep dying,
especially when I went to Safeway and had to park and then reverse
out.

This was one engine ago.  I'm running a different engine now.  At the
time, I called around and asked people's opinion on the idle control
stabilizer.  Many people said that it didn't matter.  I think that
it's value is marginal.  However, if the problem is marginal, like in
my case, it can solve it.

-- Craig

On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 22:04:33 -0500, John Lauterbach
<lauterba@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Darren, the official way to test the idle stabilizer is to disconnect the
> stabilizer (connect in and out plugs together) and see if the problem goes
> away.  Of course, nothing with a Vanagon is free; and doing the above may
> create some other problems.
>
> First of all, the tabs that are used to mount the stabilizer are brittle and
> tend to break when you disconnect the connector plugs.  Second, if you do
> encounter a driving situation where the stabilizer would normally keep the
> engine going, you may stall the engine.  Third, given all other factors that
> seem to affect idle speed, I am not sure that I have solved any real
> problems with a new unit.
>
> If others have a serious disagreement with what I have written, I would like
> to discuss.  Also, when was the last batch of these stabilizers
> manufactured?
>
> John Lauterbach
> Macon, GA
> '84 7-passenger
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Darren Lastfogel" <dlastfogel@PLYFORMS.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 10:56 AM
> Subject: Idle stabliser 84 GL
>
> > Good morning listees
> > Now that the turn signal issue is corrected I want to work on the Idle, it
> > seams to surge when I put it in park or nuetral after driving awhile. But
> if
> > I turn off the engine and restart the van idles fine could this be the
> idle
> > stabiliser and how do I check it?
> > Darren
> > Lowell  MI
> >
>