The only thing the ignition reset fixes is the O2 sensor circuit. The sensor can be affected from cold weather and road spray especially with road salt. There should be a deflector shield on it. A bad connection or ground can also be problem. Forget the harness fix. 

Dennis 

Sent from my Windows Phone

-----Original Message-----
From: John Rodgers
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 3:46 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Progressive rough running - until ignition reset

>   Volks,
> 
> I have a general Vanagon troubleshooting question - today driving home
> from an enjoyable Christmas gathering with all my family,   the van
> engine started twitching - a little skip at first, then as the miles
> rolled it got worse and worse. I was sweating getting home in all that
> snow and rain and raw weather we were having, and sure as heck didn't
> want to stall out and spend time on the side of the road in that
> weather. I managed to make it off I-65 at the southern exit onto Shelby
> Co 25 on towards Columbiana. By the time I got to the last hill just
> outside town - I was down to about 10 miles an hour, and coasted down
> that hill into town to the main stoplight. The plan was to go through
> the light on green, and pull over in a BigBox store parking lot. Didn't
> get the chance. Light changed, and the engine stalled. I turned off the
> wipers, the heater fans, and the head lights, shut off the ignition, and
> then hit the switch again. She fired right up, purring like a kitten. No
> more trouble......... until well up the road. Same thing over again.
> Just a little twitchy at first, then got progressively rough. This time,
> while coasting, I turned the switch off, and back on. The engine cleared
> it throat, and purred like a kitten. Did it twice more before I got home.
> 
> So - what could be happening that turning the ignition off and back on,
> results in temporary clearing the problems. At first I thought fuel,
> then some king of ignition trouble, then an electrical fault for sure.
> Electronics somehow.
> 
> Any ideas??
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> John
> 
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com