On Sep 10, 2008, at 12:15PM, Mike Collum wrote:

> I'm sure others will chime in before this is over, but two things
> come to mind.
>
> 1.  What is called "Vanagon Syndrome".  That's where the wiper in
> the AFM is moving rapidly back and forth in essentially the same
> place (long time driving at the same speed) and it confuses the ECU.
> One trick is to remove the AFM cover and carefully clean the wiper
> surface.  If it's worn through, the Phillips screws that hold the
> board down can be removed, the holes in the board elongated, and put
> back so the wiper has a new surface to ride on.

Okay, here's a dumb question a'coming, and, if you think by this
question it is clear I should pay a mechanic, feel free to let me know.

1. What's an AFM and where to I find it? (I do have the mechanic's
manual to refer to. The one everyone says I should have.) I assume by
wiper you don't mean the windshield wiper (Ha!) but some other
switching mechanism having to do with the ignition system.

> 2.  An ignition switch (electrical portion) that is cracked or going
> bad.  It's not unusual for them to fail in such a way that turning
> the key to the start position "Opens" the contacts for regular
> ignition. That fact that yours started easily by push starting it
> points to this.

Just a clarification to add: The starter cranks the engine just fine
when I turn the key in the ignition lock. Battery power is good,
starter seems good. It's just that the engine itself acts like no fuel
is present or being delivered while cranking. (if that makes sense.)
I'm not even sure if push-starting it had much to do with it, although
I'm not enough of an experience mechanic to be able to say.

So would a bad ignition switch still allow the starter to turn over
but not deliver fuel?

Thanks, I do appreciate the help.

Thomas, a.k.a., a WestyNoob