Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: Engine quit
From:mdrillock
Date:Mon, 8 Sep 2008 15:35:11 -0700

If the tach drops to zero while still in gear and moving then you have
an electrical problem not related to the fuel pump. This has come up
many times with various causes.

First, is the connector on the side of the distributor in decent shape?

There are a bunch of things that have caused this for others, mostly the
red wires between the alternator, starter, and engine wiring box. Also
the black wires at one post of the ignition coil, or the cluster of
grounds at a screw below the ignition coil. Sometimes the wiring from
the engine wiring box to the ECU power relay box. Even the ignition
switch though probably not in this case. Finally, bad connection at ECU
25 pin, bad brown wire ground at ECU, or bad connection inside ECU itself.

What is the vin# of your 86, last 6 digits only? Just give xxx for the
final 3 digits if you like.

Mark

Mike Miller wrote:
> Tach went to zero.
>
>
>
>
> On 9/8/08 2:30 PM, "mdrillock" <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
>
>> What was the tach doing when it quit?
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Mike Miller wrote:
>>
>>> Van types,
>>>
>>> Driving yesterday on a pretty bumpy paved road the engine suddenly quit.
>>> Didn't restart even though it was in gear. Pulled over and turned the key
>>> and it started right up and has run since then without incident.
>>>
>>> 86 syncro.
>>>
>>> Any ideas? Anything to worry about?
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>

Re: Engine quit — VANAGON archives · Gerry | Vanagon