Here is a pic of my emergency fix of the Hall Sender connector�on the exterior of the dist.
Got me home safe and sound.
Swapped in a dist. with a good connection and it is still going strong.

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/517437.jpg

dylan

________________________________
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:08:54 AM
Subject: Re: Engine stutters, tach nosedives. Then, just as suddenly, it's normal again.

Hi Ken,

The Hall sensor definitely has potential to be a culprit here, as a
no-start condition required that it be removed and reattached while at
EveryBus just after I picked up the vanagon. Since that time the
external connector has been held to the distributor with a sturdy cable
tie, and everything has been fine. I checked it yesterday, it remains
dry and well anchored.

I have a complete spare engine, but it's a 1.9 and the hall sensor has a
completely different connector, so it's not the easy swap I thought it
would be. My franken-engine is a 1.9 block using 2.1FI and cooling.

I guess I'll add a replacement hall sensor kit to the ASAP tune-up list
and keep my eyes open for a spare ECU locally. But if things suddenly go
south and I need one in a hurry I certainly appreciate knowing where I
can get one when I need it.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

Ken Wilford wrote:
> Greg, I was having this problem and it progressively got worse over
> time.� In my case it turned out to be the hall sensor in the
> distributor.� I replaced this and have been fine ever since.
> However it can also be the ECU since they are known for having bad
> solder joints and since they have the coil driver (ignition module)
> built in you can see how this can cause cutting out.
>
> The big problem is the problem being intermittent.� I had this problem
> rear it's ugly head on the coldest day of the winter for two winters.
> The first time I replaced the ECU and changed the fuel filter and it
> seemed to go away.
> The second time it got to a point where the van would no longer run and
> I swapped in a known good distributor and found the problem.
>
> Let me know if we can help you further.� I have rebuilt ECUs in stock
> for $250 and rebuild distributors as well (or you can buy the hall
> sensor only and rebuild your own).
>
> Hope this helps,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com