O2 sensor or wiring! Temp 2 sensor usually shows up as no or hard start
especially when cold or after brief shut down or bad performance during warm
up. Easy test: cycle the ignition switch or floor accelerator. If it runs OK
for short while or while floored O2 sensor problem it is.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steven Johnson
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2012 12:00 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 87 Syncro - Vanagon-type Syndrome and Questions

Failing temp sensor or wiring to?

On Fri, Dec 21, 2012 at 8:18 AM, Donna Skarloken
<dskarloken@gmail.com>wrote:

> Happy Friday to everyone - I have questions and somewhat of a dilemma.
> I am a non-mechanic female and was told by my spouse that I cannot
> spend any more money on fixing our Syncro.  The dilemma is whether I
> can learn to fix some things myself and keep the repair cost down
> generally.  Currently I need to drive my syncro to a train station to
> get to work and cannot because a Vanagon-type syndrome has reappeared
> after a month of no symptoms (my commute car is in a shop, no idea
> when I'll get it back or in what shape, so I am having to borrow cars
> to get to work - not a good situation).  I need to diagnose and if
> possible fix this myself.  I do have occasional access to my mechanic
neighbor for help.
>
> Can someone please give me a list of where all the ground points are?
> I did was able to check the ground strap that goes from the side under
> the coil to the motor and it seems fine.  There is one little green
> wire that goes into a whole bunch of wires that go to the ground strap
> under the coil that looks as if it could have a crack in it, but when
> I wiggle it when the engine is running, there is no effect on the running
of the motor.
>
> The syndrome does not appear until the syncro is warmed up, say about
> 15 minutes into my commute, and running at freeway speed, although one
> day idling in street traffic it did die but started right back up.
> Sometimes the cut-out is real quick, other times it shakes the motor
> rather violently.  There is no consistency as I might drive it today
> and have no misfire or cut-out at all, but the next trip it may happen
> about 3-4 times.  It is about 35 miles one-way to the train station I use.
>
> As always I appreciate the help and this list has been invaluable.
> Happy Holidays.
>
> Donna, 87 Syncro
>