I suppose you could have a very sticky switch that, when the throttle
cam moved off of it,
the spring  in the switch was not strong enough to open the switch.

I've never seen that, but it fits the symptoms.
I have only see them fail to make contact ...many, many times, due to
not being adjusted right, or the cam not being able to reach far enough
to close the switch. ( if you are talking about the type of switch under
the throttle body ..
the little arm on the switch is easily bent a little to fix that. )

In any case ...ahem ...the Firist Step is to take thing apart, and Look
..and Clean..
and Lube..and Adjust or tweak.
  If that can't be done .*then*  go chasing parts or another switch.

I have yet to ever replace one, but I've inspected, cleaned, lubed and
adjusted/tweaked about a hundred of them to perfect effect every time.
I don't think I've ever seen an actual faulty one...it's always
adjustment and wear, and maybe accumulated goo.
Many of them are missing the cover that's normally covering the switch
and cam.
( this is for late 85's and all 2.1 waterboxers with the swtich on the
bottom of the throttle body. The 'on top' switches for early 1.9 wbxr's
...I think I've seen a spade electrical connector tab break off one  and
just one.  )

Scott

On 11/14/2013 3:24 PM, William wrote:
> This morning, I fired up my vanagon and everything sounded normal.  After
> the engine idled for a short time, I put it into gear and started
> moving.  About half way down the street, it started loosing power
> and died.  I tried to restart it three times and each time the
> engine idled for a short time and died.  I suspected the idle switch
> and manually toggled the idle switch many times making sure I heard
> the 'click' in the microswitch.  Nothing else was touched.  I then
> started the engine and everything was back to normal.
>
> The engine was cold. Was the switch stuck in idle mode or non-idle mode?
>
> I have had prior problems with this switch not going into idle mode
> when the throttle closes.  This caused a high rpm idle.  It sounds
> like I need to replace the switch.  Is it still available or do I
> need to buy a generic microswitch and design a new mounting bracket?
>
> Thanks in advance for advice.
>
> --
> William
>
> Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some, and draw and paint
> and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
> -Robert Fulghum, author (b. 1937)
>