I had a similar problem it turned out to be bad ground on the FI system.
It was the white ground wires under the intake manifold on the driver side
that have push on connectors to the star ground plate under the case bolt.
Hope this helps there are lots of potentials and I pretty much tried
everything before I found the bad ground wire.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Van Till" <rvantill@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 3:01 PM
Subject: Stalling my 81

> Help Folks,
>    I got an 81 Vanagon (California motor) this summer and have been
> driving it for 6 weeks now. It developed a stalling problem that I need
> to solve.
> It usually happens after driving on the highway or at a sustained
> medium speed. When I let off the gas it starts bucking and stalling, or
> it waits til the first red light and just stalls. If I wait a minute or
> usually less it will start again. I noticed in my driveweay when it
> quit that it smells rich when trying to restart.
> I've changed the fuel filter, fuel hoses, vacuum hoses, cap, rotor,
> wires. The van has onlt been driven 1000 miles in the last 9 years.
> I'm new to air cooleds, but this is my 5th Vanagon. Thanks in advance
> y'all.
>
> Roger Van Till
> '89 Westy "The Moose Lounge"
> '86 GL "Sugaree"
> '81 L "CoJack"
> www.busesbythebeach.com