> While turning the key i would watch the digitool..occasionally the coil
> light and afm would flicker for a split second and the car would try to
> catch....but it couldn't the coil/fi lights did not stay on.

 Coil and FI pulse are triggered by the hall sensor on the distributor. I'd
give that a looking-at. Failure there would definitely make the van not
start!

I also noticed that when i leave the key on , and go in the engine bay, i
> can hear the relays clicking and i feel a vibration in the idle stabilizer
> unit...

Vibration? No problems there. A humming idle stabilizer valve means it's
working. Not sure what you mean by "clicking" though. Should be only a
steady hum from the ISV with the key at ON.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"