David,

Good idea, I will try that.

Tim
On Oct 19, 2005, at 8:19 PM, David Marshall [Fast Forward] wrote:

> Can't help but to think this is the blue coolant sensor to the ECU.
> If when
> hot, you unplug that sensor and it does start up almost right away
> (but you
> can't rev it very well) then I would suspect that it really is this
> sensor
> or the wiring to the sensor.
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
> 4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
> http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> - Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> - Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
> - European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
> Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include
> previous
> emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete
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> in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate
> responses.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Tim Marciniak
> Sent: October 19, 2005 5:49 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Hard Starting Cold and Hot
>
>
> I have a 90 Vanagon 2.1L with Automatic, 95k, that I am having hard
> starting problems with when the engine is cold and when it is hot.
>
> When cold it starts readily but the idle is fairly lumpy and if I press
> on the accelerator there is a major lack of power and it seems just
> like a spark plug miss.  After about 1-2 minutes the idle evens out and
> it runs ok.
>
> When the engine is hot if I turn it off and try to start it about 1-5
> minutes later it starts fine.  If I try to start it about 15-30 minutes
> after it was completely warmed up it is very difficult to start.  The
> starter spins the motor fine but it does not start.  In order to start
> i have to press the accelerator pedal to the floor and the crank the
> key like you do with a flooded carbuerated engine---in a few seconds it
> then starts and the idle evens out and it runs fine.
>
> What I've done so far:
>
> -cleaned up ALL grounds
> -added two additional ground wires, one from the tranny to the body and
> another from the starter housing to the neg on the battery
> -new o2 sensor about 5k ago
> -cleaned idle stabilization valve and it hums
> -new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, rotor and distrib cap are ok
> -checked engine vacuum--no leaks
> -checked intake system--no false air
> -checked throttle switch--ok
> -replaced coolant temp sensor
> -checked air flow sensor--ok
> -checked fuel pressure--ok--residual pressure ok
> -checked ignition timing--ok
>
>
> things i have not done:
> --pulled and check the fuel injectors, I cant see why it would be this
> when it runs fine otherwise
> --not sure how to check the idle stabilizer control unit
>
> I am close to giving up on this problem and take it to my local
> mechanic.  It has been a long time since I had to take the van in since
> I have been able to fix most everything that has gone wrong with this
> van.
>
> I would appreciate any suggestions from the list.  I would sure like to
> fix this problem on my own.
>
> Tim
> 90 Multivan (hard starter)
> 95 Passat GLX
> 03 New Beetle Turbo S
> 89 Jetta GL
> 99 Jetta
>