This type of info is "priceless" yes some dealers have no idea..
refund sounds fair to me.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom Myers <motmyers@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Sent: Aug 6, 2008 10:27 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Temp 2 sensor lesson for the 5th time [rant]
>
>*perpare your groans here*
>
>
>So - van starts hesitating several weeks back and finally refuses to start at work parkinglot.
>
>engine turns over... smell gas... looks like spark.   I was very stumped - and while I always suspect
>
>the temp II sensor - **this time seemed very different**   SO i groaned as i had it towed to the dealer.
>
>" i Think there is an electrical problem....I say"
>
>Dealer says it needs a tune up. I mention the car had a cap rotor spark plugs 2 weeks before....
>
>and reply that if that is indeed the problem I will pay for it.
>
>[Only fair if they figured out the problem...]
>
>SO  after $511 I skeptically pick up the van and
>
>predictably - 2 hours down the road - we are back to square one.
>
>Return to dealer with tune up bill in hand - saying "you guessed wrong!"   and dealer keeps van for
>
>2 weeks mumbling the AFM might be bad and they might have to order one.
>
>I say "errr no... here is my spare"
>
>Dealer takes second AFM - says there is too much CO in the exhaust and severely tweaks the AFM and
>
>says they did the best they could and come pick it up. NO charge
>
>Pick up van - running worse than before + idling at 1700 RPM and limp it to Peirce automotive [ VW guys]
>
>an hour from home.     Pierce swaps out TEmp II, undoes dealer tweaking..  car all better in errr..  .5 hour
>
>
>So aside from being an idiot in several different ways .... my lesson is that:
>
> a bad Temp II sensor can have a variety of symptoms and can never be ruled out without testing.
>
>a 2.1 vanagon owner should always have spare Temp II's [ many are defective new!] and be able to swap it out
>
>in less than 60 seconds.
>
>
>Meanwhile - with a typed out diagnosis from Pierce - I am bagging up the $511 tune up parts and mailing them
>
>back to the dealer for a refund.   [ which i am sure will be entertaining.]
>
>
>Sorry for the rant.  I WANT MY VAN BACK.
>
>
>Happy camping to all !  :O)
>
>
>Tom Myers
>Syracuse NY
>motsvan.blogspot.com
>
>
>
>
>*************************
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Get more from your digital life.  Find out how.
>http://www.windowslive.com/default.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Home2_082008

Have a nice Day :)