Paul, the AFM capacitor fix has no bearing on your van as your Golf motor is
using a different engine management system.

Maybe you need a better mechanic.

On 7/23/07, Larry or Joan Alofs <alofs@att.net> wrote:
>
> It is incorrect to call this static electricity.  On the list it is
> commonly called vanagon syndrome".  You can find lots about it in the
> archives.
>   VW has indicated that it is caused by a resonance in the AFM which
> after prolonged operation at highway speed sometimes sends garbled
> signals to the ECU, perhaps causing it to drop into "limp home mode"
> momentarily.
>   The adapter or harness that VW produced was priced over $100 and may
> no longer be available.  A less costly and usually effective remedy
> involves connecting a capacitor across two of the AFM terminals.  Search
> the archives for "capacitor fix".
>   You should realize, however, that there are many other possible causes
> for similar symptoms, so not everyone finds relief with these
> prescriptions.
>
> good luck,
> Larry A.
>
>
> Paul Chubbuck wrote:
> > Can anyone tell me where I could find out more about the problem
> mentioned
> > in this archived 1998 Vanagon list communication, referring to an
> adaptor
> > which deals with a static electricity problem and which is supposedly
> > mentioned in a VW tech service bulletin somewhere?
> >
> > Paul in Fort Collins
> > __________________________________________
> > Date:         Mon, 18 May 1998 02:39:08 EDT
> > Reply-To:     Modl6971 <Modl6971@AOL.COM>
> > Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
> > From:         Modl6971 <Modl6971@AOL.COM>
> > Subject:      Re: Hiccups, static electricity, wireharness.
> > Comments: To: calle.fallberg@SWIPNET.SE, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> > Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
> >
> > In a message dated 98-05-18 00:50:46 EDT, calle.fallberg@SWIPNET.SEwrites:
> >
> > << Hi there , Vanagon'ners!
> >  I have a kind of veird problem that I wonder if anyone else has been
> >  suffering, and may have a solution to :-\
> >  I have a -88 vanagon with the 2.1 digifant engine.
> >  Its normally running like a champ but every now and then it�ll get
> >  hiccups!
> >  The weirdest thing of it all is that it�s almost always happening when
> >  I�m out for a little longer drive and the thing that happens is that
> >  after a couple of hours driving at app. 55 mph the engine starts
> >  stalling for about a microsec. at the time.
> >  This could go on for about a minute or two and sometimes it is followed
> >  by a big black exhaust cloud which is cured by restarting the engine a
> >  couple of times but the most common thing is that the "hiccups" stops
> >  and the car runs on like if nothing ever happened.
> >  The Vanagon  has never stopped permanently so it�s only a minor problem
> >  but nevertheless a f******g anoying one!
> >  Any ideas ????
> >  Calle Fallberg, Mullhyttan Sweden
> >  -88 Vanagon, -79 Saab 99, four Belgian Shepherd dogs and a wife
> >   >>
> > There was a tech bulletin on this 6 years ago. The problem you are
> having is
> > static electricity building up in your air-flow meter causing your exact
> > runability problem. The fix, is a small adaptor that plugs into your
> airflow
> > meter and the connector to your airflowmeter. Also you need to ground
> your
> > airflow meter to a good ground, like the fire wall with a piece of wire,
> > easy
> > to do. I don't have the part number for the adaptor. Call the parts dep
> at
> > the
> > dealer. If they don't know what the hell you are talking about, talk to
> a VW
> > tech at the dealer first ( that knows about this adaptor). If that
> doesn't
> > work, post the question for that part on this list. Michael M. 87
> syncro.
> >
> >
>

-- 
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com