Mark, one thing to think about is that the hall sender in the
distributor sends a signal that not only tells the injectors to fire,
and the ignition system to spark but also turns on the fuel pump!  If
this sensor goes bad it can intermittently cause stalling, and
non-start.  I have had this problem with my own van.  The only real way
to test for it that I have found is to swap in a known good distributor
to see if the symptoms go away.  Fuel pumps rarely fail intermittently.
Usually they just die.  I would check your electrical connections as you
are doing and then just keep in mind that it could be a hall sensor.  We
sell this for $149 or a rebuilt distributor with a new hall sensor in it
for $259 plus a core charge of $77.

Let me know if I can help you further.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Mark Brush wrote:
> Hi all -
>
> I searched the archives and didn't find anything on this.  Has anyone
> experienced an intermittent problem with their fuel pump?  Sometimes it
> pumps (that little buzzing sound when the keys are turned over), sometimes
> it doesn't (no sound, and won't start).  I think it goes out while I'm
> driving too (van bucks - power loss).  Are there are prime suspects in this
> case?  A loose wire in the steering column somewhere?  Bad ignition switch?
> I don't want to think badly of the fuel pump, since that little fella is a
> $400 or more item.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mark
>
> --
> Mark
> 1990 Westy (2.1 - manual)
>
>