If your idling at 950, the valve is doing its job. The sputtering is called
a miss. At idle, the miss is usually due to an ignition problem or a
cylinder getting a slightly different mixture than the others. Bad
injectors, vacuum leak, valves, etc can be the problem. The idle valve
simply stabilizes the idle speed by opening a bypass around the throttle.
You should be able to get a smooth idle even with it un plugged. Some
sputtering on water boxers is often normal. Make sure timing is properly set
and then look for the cause of the lean missies.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Chris Lisica
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 88 vanagon gl "issues"

Ok, so I just got the van started(barely). Held it at 2000rpm's for about 15
minutes to charge the battery after a 3-4 minute start process. After
letting go of the gas pedal, it dropped to 1100rpm's(900 is normal idle for
me), slowly dropped to 1000, slowly dropped to 950, and started to stutter.
Tap the gas, everything is fine, let go, starts to stutter/sputter. I'm
thinking all signs are pointing to the idle valve? Sound like a good culprit
to chase down? Is it located in the throttle body? On top?

Thanks so much!

-chris

On 2/14/07, Chris Lisica <wavanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Tom, thanks for the links. I'm no stranger to Ben's website. What a wealth
> of information.
>
> Thank you Ben for posting so much information!
>
> On 2/14/07, Tom Rowsell <sakow86@gmail.com > wrote:
> >
> > See Ben's info at http://benplace.com/temp_sender.htm
> > Also, go back up to http://benplace.com/vw2.htm for a load of other
> > info...
> >
> > Tom
> >
> > On 2/14/07, Chris Lisica < wavanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Ken, thanks for the info. Some questions:
> > >
> > > The TEMPII sensor is a real good candidate.
> > >
> > >
> > > Where exactly is the TEMPII sensor?
> > >
> > > There are some wires/traces under the distributor that become brittle
> > > with
> > > > age.If you are not real careful unplugging the dist you can damage
> > > them.
> > >
> > >
> > > Under the distributor cap?
> > >
> > > How about the idle position sensor?  Can you hear it click on and off?
> > > >
> > > > The idle control module could be fried or the idle valve could be
> > > gummed
> > > > up.
> > >
> > >
> > > I believe I can hear the position sensor coming on with ignition turn
> > > on and
> > > off. Where is the idle control module and stabilizer valve?
> > >
> > > Thanks again!
> > >
> > > -chris
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>