hi Mark,
the fuel pumps I've priced out were not 400 bucks, closer to half that.
They last just amazingly well.
it's hard for me to put on a new one with 5 used ones around.

if you suspect the wiring to the fuel pump , why not just temporarily supply
power to it yourself, from a good source somewhere in the van ?

there's no steering wheel column wire that could affect the fuel pump, but
'all sorts of things' get traced to a worn out electrical part of the
ignition switch.

oh......here's one.......
had this myself, 84 Wolfsburg Westy ..............driving at 60 or 70, it
would 'loose power' for about 1.5 seconds, then pick up and go fine again,
until the next time.
I was suspicious of the air flow meter ......
don't know if it was shutting of fuel injection or fuel pump ........but as
soon as the van slowed 2 mph due to lack of engine producing power.......
the sweeper would make contact again, and we'd be up and producing power
again.
new air flow meter fixed that.
Any time there is an interface between electronics and something mechanical
..........that's an inherently weak spot. Air Flow Meter is a prime example.

but I'd just supply my own juice to the fuel pump for a test, to see if it's
intermittent, or the signal to it is.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Brush" <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 11:27 AM
Subject: intermittent fuel pump

> 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)