Check the throttle switch/es is indeed an excellent thing to do.
I find the throttle switch not making contact at idle on waterboxer vanagons
*all the time* - very common.

I did want to mention that there are two styles of 85 Vanagon throttle
switches.
the 'early ones' have the two switches mounted right on top, in plane site.

the later type ........also for 1.9 waterboxer on 1985 Vanagons,
is like the switch on 2.1 waterboxers - it's a sinlge switch mounted on the
bottom of the throttle body.
( it also makes this throttle body and switch kinda rare - is only seen on
......just guessing,.... the second half of 85 production )

This later switch is slightly trickier to adjust, and I have seen them not
be able to adjust far enough to reach contact at idle,
and I've seen them rusted and corroded so they can't be adjusted.

but for sure ....it must make contact at idle.
and break contact quite close to just off idle. If the throttle can be open
for very far  with idle contact still being made, you can get bucking at low
rpm, light throttle.

"It's just a blockage or leakage of fluids or electrons."

find 'the one' or 'those blockages or leakages' and you'll be running right
again !
I liked that idea of trying it with 02 sensor disconected too, as a
diagnostic test.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Keezer" <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: The love affair maybe be ending.....

I have an 85 GL/Automatic......rolling along just fine over the weekend for
> about a 3 hour long roadtrip. Yesterday it stalled out and then when I
> restarted it immediately and put it back in drive it began sputtering and
> now will not go over 3000 rpm in D. When warming up in the morning, it
> will
> rev up fine but then place it in drive and there is just no go. What
> should
> I start to look at? Cold as hell right now in Louisville.
> Thank you,
> Aaron Bright
> Louisville, KY

Aaron,
Have you checked the throttle switches? There are two switches on the
throttle body, one for decelleration and the other for full throttle
enrichment- if these are bad or misadjusted, it could be a possibility..
Robert
1985 Vanagon GL

Well to say that me and my 85' GL have had our ups and downs is a given.
Thru it all I have loved my fourth vanagon sooo much. Everyone has been
amazingly helpful, but I think I am seeing the end of the road or maybe just
the end of the wallet.
The acceleration problem i was having about 2 month back is still not doing
any better after:
1. replacing the plugs, wires and cap/rotor
2. new O2 sensor and temp2 sensor
3. cat is working fine, no exhaust issues
4. newer airflow meter
5. injectors have a great spray pattern
6. idles very good, fires up everytime
7. replaced the transmission about a year ago now, thanks to Randy.....
thanks brother
But at last I am possibly going to replace the fuel pump now, if that does
not work then I am screwed and will probably have to let my baby go.....
Some of the fun is figuring out the ins and outs of our vanagons.
Maybe I will start a Haiti Relief to save my vanagon.......
Sad day for a diehard van-man, thanks for all the help over the years
guys......
Thank you,
Aaron Bright
Louisville, KY