In a message dated 25/12/2006 1:55:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

The  throttle valve switch has failed on my 85 Westy.  This switch is  located
under the throttle rather than above the throttle body as shown in  the
Bentley Manual.  There are no switches on top of my  throttle.  The part
number is 025 906 017.  This number is on the  plastic plate that holds the
actual switch.  The actual switch has the  following: Hartmann Serie 506 4A
250V~.  The switch is open all the  time, so I am unable to know whether it
should be NO or NC.  There is  a little cam on the throttle shaft with two
bumps, one that is supposed to  actuate the switch at idle and another that
actuates the switch at full  throttle.

If anyone knows where I can get a good replacement switch I  would be glad.

Alternatively, I can get a new microswitch and adapt it  to the existing
holder.  If anyone would care to give me an opinion as  to whether it is a NO
or NC switch I would like to hear from you.  I  know the 84 switches on top
are NO.

Ron, those switches are not available unless you  can find a good used one.
It can usually be repaired.  Are you sure  it is not working is the first
question ?  If not then you can gently  remove the cover with the use of a sharp
utility knife blade.  Go easy so  as not to break the cover.  Once open it will
become obvious what is wrong  and you should be able to clean the corrosion
from the contacts, spring plate  and push pin actuator and get the switch back
operating.  Sometimes that  plastic push pin seal has become swollen and will
not allow the pin to move  freely, cleaning and light lube may work or
discarding that seal and covering  the area with Dielectric grease may work also.
The judicious use of  Dielectric grease on the switch parts is also beneficial
after you have the  corrosion cleaned off.  Be sure to fully understand the
location of the  spring and switch plate before they jump out of place and your
left wondering  how they go back.  That little spring is always wanting to get
lost so be  careful and working on a big white fluffy towel and the use of a
pair of fine  point tweezers are advantageous.  After your sure the switch is
functional  you can replace that cover you removed with some plastic glue or
Crazy  Glue.  After you have the switch back together and operational you  need
to adjust the switch plate so that the switch closes (switch is NO  - Normally
Open) as soon as the throttle plate starts to move and then  opens again at
full throttle plate opening.  If you cannot achieve this in  the normal
movement of the switch plate this is due to the plastic cam being  worn.  The remedy
is to bend that metal arm of the switch until you can get  the switch to
contact the plastic cam and operate the switch within the correct  parameters.

Cheers &  Happy Holidays,

Frank Condelli
Almonte,  Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel  Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon  Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007