This sounds an AWFUL lot like what i have going on with my '85. I just
replaced the fuel filter in hopes that ill solve it....it seems fuel related
as my tachometer is unaffected by the car's random shutoffs. I just replaced
the O2 wire as well, so it's not that. Temp sensor's new as well. It just
randomly dies, but 99% of the time it just fires itsself right back up and
keeps on running. Though, on a big hill (that i did not make it up so
elegantly at all), it did not turn itsself back on but fired right up at the
turn of the key. I would wonder if you guys all have similar problems
involving the tachometer not changing when the car shuts off (just there
isnt any more power to push the car).

I used to have a random problem where the tach would die and spike back
up....the car dying for a second or two. This was somehow solved with a new
alternator (the old one wasnt putting out juice, the battery was always
dead).

I'm following this intently hoping to bring a breath of reliable life into
my beast.

-Craig
'85GL

On Nov 12, 2007 9:16 PM, Joseph Fortino <fortino1@earthlink.net> wrote:

> 85 syndrome.. trust me.. I battled some wild stuff in 119f in Vegas..
> running to hot
> could be all kinds of things. I say o2 wire maybe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
> >Sent: Nov 12, 2007 5:03 PM
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: 1.9L itermittent stalling at random
> >
> >Brian -
> >
> >I have an 85 1.9 w/205K miles and had similar problems. It started with
> an
> >intermittent miss on the freeway, progressed to a full cut-out at freeway
> >speeds, and was really awful with moisture present. Luckily, we live
> where
> >it rarely rains. I ended up replacing the coil, spark plug wires, cap,
> >rotor, plugs, etc. but that didn't do it. I finally noticed the wires for
> >the hall sender were rubbed bare where they exited the back of the
> >distributor. The rubber grommet had crumbled with age. I bought a new
> hall
> >sender from Van Cafe and paid a local shop to install it. Problem solved.
> >The van ran much better and the mileage even went up from 19 to 21 MPG.
> >That was about 3 months ago. So,its worth a look. However please note
> that
> >on our way home last night, the van experienced one of those intermittent
> >misses again....... Not sure if its even related yet.
> >
> >Walter
> >
> >On Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:19:23 -0800, Brian Jarvinen
> ><brianvwagain@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> >
> >>well it's that time again. I've been through this
> >>before
> >>but have to work through it again. the fuel seems to
> >>cut out at seemingly random times.
> >>
> >>I tried to do some archive searches about my questions
> >>but on dial-up that is very frustrating.
> >>
> >>My Westy is an 84 1.9L
> >>manufactured 12/83; I also have an extra
> >>Vanagon manufactured 11/83 that I've mostly
> >>finished parting out and using for spares.
> >>
> >>but something is cutting off the fuel seemingly
> >>at random. first symptoms appeared on rainy
> >>days but we've had a lot of those and I don't
> >>think an exposed wire getting moist is the
> >>culprit because the symptoms started again
> >>on a warm sunny day this weekend.
> >>
> >>Checked so far -
> >>
> >>all grounds cleaned, di-electric greased, sealed
> >>with wire-dryer spray.
> >>
> >>fuel filter changed.
> >>
> >>temp-sensor II - about two years old. but
> >>van can run perfectly when fully warmed for
> >>long periods, then start the herky-jerkys.
> >>previous experience with this sensor going
> >>bad was much different but I guess still
> >>possible. haven't tested it with slowly
> >>warming water yet.
> >>
> >>fuel pump relays - seem solid. have had
> >>these cause this problem in the past, detectable
> >>when ever hitting a bump in the road. also
> >>when the inside of the relay rattles a little bit.
> >>swapped one out anyway, no change.
> >>
> >>fuel pump - pressurizes normally on
> >>start up. I never hear it make the re-pressurization
> >>sound again after that. but it is the original
> >>pump ... 24 years, 250K miles...
> >>
> >>so question 1 - what are the symptoms
> >>of a fuel pump going bad?
> >>
> >>fuel pressure regulator - I could test this, I
> >>have in the past with the little port at the
> >>fuel-line T, but testing for this is...what
> >>if when I test it, everything is working just
> >>exactly perfect? I wouldn't think a regulator
> >>problem would be so random.
> >>
> >>the coil - actually swapped this out for
> >>other reasons. an educational experience
> >>I will write about in another post, perhaps
> >>it will help someone else. no change in symptoms.
> >>
> >>ahhh, the air sensors - I can test these with
> >>the box off, per Bentley, and all tests show
> >>correctly. again testing can only reveal
> >>so much - sometimes the van runs perfectly
> >>for 20 minutes at a time. what if I am
> >>testing when the sensor arm is on the right spot?
> >>
> >>so question 2 - what are the symptoms of
> >>these sensors flaking out?
> >>
> >>I'm leaning towards just replacing the
> >>air sensors. unfortunately I already gave away
> >>my extra air box I think, can't find my extra
> >>one anywhere. but at $150 and several days
> >>shipping, I keep hoping I can find something
> >>simpler to try next.
> >>
>
>
> Kind Regards,
> Joseph Fortino
> fortino1@earthlink.net
> yahoo mobile mail account: love2bike140@yahoo.com
> IM: love2bike1414@yahoo.com
>
> Have a Great Day!
>