Ignition switch is a likely culprit, for both your problems.  An easier
way to check is to 'hot-wire' it.  Run a jumper from the B+ on the
alternator to the B+ on the coil.  Start it up and run over some bumps.
Another likely culprit, IME, is the Hall sensor bulkhead connector where
it goes through the distributor.  Make sure that's not cracked and
intermittently going open.  Another possiblity is an intermittent short
between the coil windings

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)

>
>Date:    Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:57:05 -0700
>From:    Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: Dieing problem driving me nuts
>
>Replace the ignition switch.
>
>You don't even need to do the hard part now, just pop off the steering
>column cover and pull the connector.
>
>Plug in the new switch and drive over some bumps.
>
>Jake
>
>PS I'm very sorry for your loss Gregor; Go Canucks!
>
>On 4/28/07, Gregor Brandt <gbrandt@marionette.ca> wrote:
>
>
>>;86 Westy
>>
>>Ok, I've spent the entire week on this.   Tomorrow I have to drive
>>from Winnipeg back to Calgary and I don't know if I will make it.  I
>>believe I have two problems...and I can't find either one.
>>
>>Problem 1
>>Van hesitates at cruising speed or very light throttle.  Just a small
>>surge, almost like lugging the engine in too high a gear.
>>        -Changed fuel filters
>>        -visually inspected fuel system
>>
>>
>>Problem 2
>>When driving over bumps, or sometimes by itself, the van tach will
>>drop to zero.  Obviously this is an electrical problem.
>>        -Checked every wire I could get my hands on, wiggled them while
>>the
>>engine was running, from the ignition switch to the distributor.  I
>>cannot make the problem occur by myself
>>        -redid all the grounds I could get my hands on.  Ran through the
>>van with an Ohm meter...resistance is zero or near zero in all cases
>>
>>
>>What do I do next?  Besides slice my wrists and be done with the
>>problem :-)
>>
>>Thanks
>>Gregor
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>--
>Jake
>1984 Vanagon GL
>1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
>www.crescentbeachguitar.com
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of vanagon Digest - 28 Apr 2007 - Special issue (#2007-442)
>***************************************************************
>
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