So, the trusty, uncomplaining engine that I feel grateful to have had for 8k
miles has suddenly developed a condition that I know has been described and
discussed ad nauseam here, I think. I would call it Vanagon syndrome but it
isn't really. Also, I have the OEM harness that is meant to cure
"drivability issues." I have searched the archives, "the whole shebang" on
the BDTD site and also a cursory search through the Samba. I am left not
knowing exactly what's happening.

2.1l water cooled, automatic, 160k miles

engine starts as normal but whether cold or warm, when one accelerates and
runs the RPM up to about 2500, it will go flat - loss of power. If I let of
the throttle, it will drop to a low, erratic idle of about 800 RPM. I can
feather the revs til it smooths out at about 1700 rpm but it will not return
to idle.This is, of course, sporadic but it has not disappeared long enough
to travel any great distance - maybe two blocks at a time without failing.

Perhaps recall that I had written about this engine and that when I come to
a stop, in gear, the idle holds high at about 1100 rpm. Tapping the pedal
will let it drop to a consistent idle of about 950-1000 rpm.

So, I'm thinking AFM or TPS mostly because of the high idle condition when
the engine was operating well. But, does the TPS usually cause the loss of
power (basically going flat) at higher RPMs?

The engine was running perfectly on Sunday for a 160 mile jaunt back from
the Northern Neck of Virginia. This condition appeared Wednesday morning as
wife tried to go to work in the van. I reckon I should check the following,
in this order:

   1. disconnect oygen sensor
   2. disconnect idle stabilizer valve
   3. connections at injectors
   4. loose grounds
   5. TPS
   6. AFM track and wiper

Can anyone suggest a more direct troubleshooting path? Am I confusing
symptoms by imagining the condition akin to the "syndrome"?
Cheers,
--
mordo
1990 Carat