I had a simmilar issue w my 89 carat not starting-I replaced a running engine(BAD HEADS) w/one that I knew was running but I cranked and cranked and it still wouldnt start 
-I spent weeks going over everything I could think or look up electrical- changed the wireing harness ecu fuel pump etc-to make along story short I sold it out of frustration-The person who bought it brought some new plugs changed them and drove away AAAAAAHHHHHH paInful learning to start w/cheapest simple easy things first- MC. ------ Original Message ----- 
From: "Leo Lipert" <leolipert@GMAIL.COM> 
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Monday, March 1, 2010 11:09:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: 1988 Vanagon won't start 

   A friend's 1988 Vanagon died while driving down the freeway, just quit. 
He had it towed home, and today he and I took a look at it. We disconnected 
the fuel line at the engine and the fuel pump is working, and it's getting 
spark. We changed the distributor cap and rotor just because they looked a 
little suspect. 

   It doesn't even act like it wants to try to start. Turns over but doesn't 
pop or do anything approaching wanting to start. 

Any suggestions of where to look? 

Thanks, Leo