Woops, side note.  I did remove and violently shake the ECU while the
van running during my testing phases.   The van continued running
with no stumbling.

Gregor

On 3-May-07, at 7:44 AM, Gregor Brandt wrote:

> '86 Westy
>
> For those that don't remember:
>
> I had serious problems with the van, tach going to zero then right
> back up again.  I did everything and followed all the list members
> advice except for the ignition switch and distributor.  Those last
> two items I did shake rattle and roll while the van was running, to
> no effect.
>
> Finally I took the van into a VW shop (it had to be towed).  This guy
> put in a new OEM O2 sensor ($$$$$ yikes).  A new ground strap and
> played with the ECU.  The van is now running fine.  I personally
> tested the old O2 sensor with a meter, it seemed fine to me.  I also
> cleaned all the grounds and used an OHM meter around the engine to
> ensure resistance was low...it was, near zero on the ground strap.
>
> When I got the van back, the ECU was not screwed in, it was lying on
> its side on the floor....and the van is running perfectly.  So, given
> that my tests of the O2 sensor and grounds were valid...how would the
> ECU lying on its side fix the issue?
>
> Thanks
>
> Gregor
>   P.S.   I am now frightened to put the ECU back!