I just cut open my fuel pump that was new, but had been sitting in my
van (installed) for a couple of years. Wondered what had made it stop
working.

Posted a picture here if anyone is interested-
http://www.anthonykimmons.com/vanagon

I could  see nothing wrong with it. Looked pretty new. Seemed clean,
but would not turn.
Still not sure what caused it to fail.

On 7/24/07, Paul Chubbuck <paul@takingflight.net> wrote:
> To his credit, it was not his idea about the "Vanagon syndrome" but mine I
> got from a mechanic friend who didn't have access to the vehicle so probably
> wasn't clear on the engine.  But thanks for the clarification.
>
> After much time and diagnostic effort, my mechanic has duplicated the
> problem and diagnosed it as a bad fuel pump...my first conclusion.  I
> should've replaced it myself as I would've saved a big repair bill.
>
> Any ideas why my fuel pump would need replacing again after 4 months and
> less than 20,000 miles?
>
> Paul
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jake de Villiers
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 9:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vapor lock? Static electricity? Help!
>
> 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
>