Jeff, I had what sounds like that same problem before I discovered this mail
list. My problem was w/ my throttle positioning switch, located at the
bottom of the throttle body. There are 2 allen headed adjustment screws, one
acts as a set screw and the other adjusts. I don't have the exact procedure
in front of me, you will have to search the archives. My van wouldn't start
unless I tapped the gas a bit, idled erratically, and sometimes die at
intersections. After adjusting, everything seemed to smooth out, and I could
start the van!

Also, Ken's suggestion of changing the tempII is a great idea as well. Cheap
and easy fix. Good luck

-chris

On 10/27/07, Jeff Gilbert <gilbert_jeffd@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hey gang,
>
> My 87 syncro has been running pretty smooth for quite a while.  It has
> been having some vanagon syndrome like symptoms, ie constantly hicups around
> 3200 RPMs, but in general running good.
>
> Monday I had her all packed up as the fires approached and when the flames
> got within about 200 yards of our house I started her up and drove out of
> the neighborhood.
>
> Everything seemed fine with the van.
>
> It was running for about an hour, and running fine, as I kept coming back
> to the house to check on things etc.
>
> Suddenly it seriously lost power, esp uphill.
>
> I was able to get to about 55mph and evacuated to a friends house about 30
> miles away with no stalls.
>
> The next morning it wouldnt start unless I gave it a lot of gas as I
> cranked.
>
> Once started the idle was rough at it would stall out, or barely hang on.
>
> Again, able to get it home at about 55mph, but lackluster power, no
> stalls.
>
> Tried to start it this morning, same thing.  Disconnected the 02 sensor
> and it started right up, but with a low idle.  Drove around the neighborhood
> with good power.
>
> Got back in later with 02 still disconnected and it would start again
> without giving a lot of gas I a cranked.  Rough idle and stalling.
>
> I have reconnected and redisconnected the 02 sensor since, and it is still
> hard to start, rough idle, and stalling with the 02 connected or
> disconnected..
>
> Any suggestions?  I don't have a digitool anymore as my ECU fried about a
> year ago.
>
> My AFM isnt all that old, and I do have the special connector for vanagon
> syndrome.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> jeff
>
>
>
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--
Chris
88 Vanagon GL (daily driver)
87 Westfalia (in progress)