When the engine dies are the warning lights on the dash still lighted? If
not most likely bad ignition switch.
If yes then you need to find out if you had loss of spark or loss of fuel.
Check the boot is properly connected to the throttle body and air flow
meter.
Check the air stabilizer and crankcase breather hoses.
If losing spark look wiring or an ECU problem.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Rodgers
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Failure to Start - 91 Carat

Parked my Carat two weeks ago - running oh so fine. Nothing has been done to
it in the interim. It has just sat idle. Didn't need to start it until today
- and it won't. I would appreciate  some pointers on how to get this baby to
go. Here is the situation.

Battery fully charged
Gas tank half full/empty
Fuel under pressure to both fuel rails
All four injectors relatively recently serviced by Cruzin Services Hot spark
- all spark plugs

Ignition on
Fuel pump runs
Starter engages
Engine turns
Ignition fires
Engine kicks over as in a good start - then immediately dies - like no fuel.

It behaves as if there is a charge of fuel initially, then it's cut off.
Like the engine starts, burns out the charge, then there's no more fuel.
Much like with a carbureted engine that is fuel starved.
Accelerator pump charges the engine, the engine starts, then quickly dies.

I disconnected the O2 sensor and the Idle Stabilizer  - just to reduce any
negative possibilities there - and tried it - same result.

I'm at a loss, my good mechanic buddy is at a loss. Are we over looking the
obvious? I have not pulled the injectors to check the spray pattern, but
didn't feel it necessary since they were recently serviced.

Any input on this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks

John

--
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com