Hey Craig,

I had same thing happen with my '84 when I first got it in 1997.  Look at
elbow between AFM and throttle as well as other vacuum hoses.  I was driving
along one day and van suddenly died.  Aforementioned elbow had fallen off.

Take off the distributor cap and look at inside.  Is it carbon-tracked?  If
so, maybe ignition control module failing.

Look at wires around coil.  Are they all firmly attached.

Let us know what you find.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: "craig cowan" <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 8:39 AM
Subject: BUS DIED!!!!!!!!

> Hey, I was driving along in my '85GL which WAS now working perfectly.
> When suddenly it sounded like/seemed to "backfire" and was dead. It
> wont start again, though it does turn over fine and it sounds like its
> getting SOME fuel in that you occasionally hear a pop. Im thinking it
> could be a bad fuel pump. Does that sound likely? or is there any
> other possible cause? Please help, otherwise i'll have to get it towed
> this evening.
>
> -Craig
> '85GL Sunroof
>