Temp II sensor it was, hopefully.  Replaced an "iffy" connector plug that I
knew was "hanging by a thread" with the wires inside the 'plug' itself being
really brittle and probably 9/10 broken or full of corrosion.  Also, the
spade terminals on the sensor sender itself were quite corroded, indicating
a not so good connection under the little rubber boot.
  Started right up smooth and even..  I found some of the connectors at a
junk yard and got some spares when I was getting a replacement alternator
arm a while back..cut them off an old sirrocco, I guess they've been used in
many V-dubs..
  Thanks
  Don Hanson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zoltan" <zolo@foxinternet.net>
To: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:59 PM
Subject: Re: sputtering on start up..?

> Temp II sensor.
> Z
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:42 PM
> Subject: sputtering on start up..?
>
>
>   Suddenly my Digifant FI VW motor started misbehaving on start-up.  Where
> do I start looking tomorrow AM?  Temp II sender?  O2 sensor?  Both were
> recently replaced...within a year anyhow..Recent fuel pump and filter
> replacement, also.
>
>   Ok, a bit more info.  This motor isn't a water boxer, but all the stuff
is
> almost identical.  It's a 92 Rabbit/Cabriolet 1.8 liter inline 4 with
> vigilant injection.  Vanagon fuel system, Vanagon intake..
>    The engine starts as normal, then goes hunting around the lower rpm
range
> without me touching the gas.  Does this for about a minute, then settles
out
> and runs perfectly normal until the next time it is started cool...I
> think...(this all just started this afternoon.)  .that when warm, the
> missing and hunting won't happen.  If I give it gas, it stumbles badly
> during these starting up episodes.
>
>  Until this recent change in  behavior, the motor would start very well
with
> no throttle and idle at an increased rpm until it warmed..about maybe a
> minute..then it would drop right off to it's regular steady smooth
> idle....Now, it hunts around, maybe drops a cylinder or two for a few
> seconds, comes back to high rpm, then sputters a bit...until about a
minute
> passes and it gets right again and  idles smooth and regular, runs down
the
> road perfectly..
>
>  Something in the fuel system for almost sure..Loose or shorting wire to
one
> of the sensors is my bet, but anyone want to guess or point to the one it
> may be?
>   Thanks, I will report back if and when I find the problem..
>
>   Don Hanson
>
>
> --
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>