The idle stabilizer on that engine works by advancing the ignition timing
when the idle goes too low. It needs to be bypassed to establish the basic
settings. You need to set the isle speed with the throttle bypass until
you get the timing where it belongs. After all is set, the stabilizer gets
connected. It is only there to compensate for the O2 sensor and loads like
head lights.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
phil cain
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 9:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 81 CA van, trouble setting the timing(automatic)

Engine has been just rebuilt, installed, there are
some problems with the P.O.'s wiring on the van,
getting them sorted out. the main problem is the Idle
stablizer, the plugs to it were cut off and hard wired
together, I have new plugs for the stablizer, just
don't know which wires go to which plug, some of the
wires are the same color, but don't go to the same
place. That is going to be a problem once I get the
timing set, that is the major problem right now. With
the stablizerwires together, vacuum lines on the
distrubtor, engine running, at about 1500+ RPM the
timing mark is at about 30 BTDC as I turn the
distrubtor to decrease the timing the RPM comes down
like it should but the RPM drops too low and the
engine dies at about 15 degrees BTDC. cant get the
idle to hold to set the timing. Phil

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