I checked the O2 centerwire and I get .5 volts. I checked the center to
ground and its not grounded. When I touch the center of the wire to ground I
don't see anything happen.
The motor was warmed up and still no change. When I rev the motor I am
getting black
soot coming out the exhaust in small puffs. I have the throttle switch
adjusted and checked
with a meter to be operating correctly. The temp 2 is new and if I unplug
while warming up the idle jumps up. If I unplug when fully warmed it stalls.
This is a new rebuild and I don't want to damage anything before  I solve
this problem. What gets me is it happened suddenly
while driving. Other than the temp2 and O2 sensor what would cause the motor
to run Rich?
I don't think its a cylinder not firing. I guess I could pull wires and see
if I get any big change
in running.

---

On Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 11:35 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> You really don't want to advertise that you are knowingly and willingly
> operating your van with the O2 sensor disconnected and the cat hollowed
> out.
>
> My guess is that near the O2 sensor connector the coaxial wire is damaged
> and the center wire is shorted to the outer ground sheath. Check the
> connector with a voltmeter. With the ignition on you should see ~.5 volt.
> If
> not you either have short or the center wire is open from the ECU input or
> the ECU is bad.
>
> Easy test is to quickly turn the ignition off and back on while the engine
> is running. If you get 30 seconds or so of good operation after the reset,
> then you know you have an O2 sensor wiring problem.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Amy Miner
> Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 10:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 87 2.1 loss power
>
> Hi,
> On our way to the ferry terminal on Sunday from a weekend of camping we
> started having problems. After driving about 20 minutes the van started to
> have no power and wanted to stall. We made it to the ferry and once at the
> other side of the sound,the van started. It still ran with no power and
> black smoke. Was not overheating or hot.
>
> History:
>
> Rebuilt motor,new distributer,cap,rotor,wires,temp 2 sendor,pro cleaned
> injectors,all new hoses,fuel lines ect......
> Grounds were all cleaned and some replaced while motor was installed.
> Has about 70 miles since rebuild was installed.  The O2 sensor is unplugged
> and cat is hollowed out.
> Made sure the oxygen sensor plug wasn't touching anything to ground it out.
> Looked over the engine and all
> vacumn lines are intact. Boot between throttle body/afm appears intact.
> I did check the  o2 connector and when the black rubber cover is over the
> connector is shows a light ground. There is no wires from the braid coax
> touching the center connector. It appears tha the black rubber has become
> conductive for some reason. I pulled the rubber cover back and taped the
> connector for now. With the cover off the ground goes away. Checked the
> wire
> from the plug at the afm and shows no ground at all now.
>  I also checked the throttle switch and that needs to be adjusted. It works
> correctly full throttle but not at rest. The throttle butterfly show zero
> ohms at rest and infinate at full
> throttle. I will adjust that in the morning. Looking for some other
> suggestions to look at tomorrow to help with trouble shooting my problem.
> I also am curious that if anyonelse has replaced their coolant gauge sendor
> and now it shows normal temp at 3/4 of gauge? Mine used to rest right
> around
> the light in the middle. This is on a 87 and I am wondering if I should try
> the other type gauge sendor with the different connector that the later
> years have to see if that will bring it back to where it used to be. I had
> to resplice the wires to this connector and wonder if I added resistance to
> the circuit. Does that light in the coolant gauge also start to flash when
> the coolant gets to hot? I know it flashes if there is low coolant.
>
> Thanks and look forward to any suggestions as I work through getting this
> sorted out....
>
> A.
>
>