Thanks for your comments Scott.     I must confess that my instinct would have been to remove the r/h valve cover and check the valve positions on #1 but I can see your point and reasoning.   I have been working on overhead cam engines so long but clearly on this engine the cam shaft is a lot harder to look at :-)     I should probably need to do that check anyway.    As you say the Dizzie could have been put in 180 degrees off.
Cheers,  Steve

On Dec 7, 2013, at 2:17 PM, Scott Daniel wrote:

> thanks for the reference ..
> 
> one, I'd ask how is the poster totally sure he has the engine on # 1 TDC
> when the dist rotor points where it should.
> 
> the only absolutly sure way to tell it's on t# 1 TDC to fire is to
> remove the left valve cover and see that # 3 valves are in 'point of
> balance' .that is exhaust just closing and intake just open ..
> when # 3 does that, and crank pulley says it's at TDC ..then you know
> it's really on # 1 TDC to fire.
> 
> othewise you don't actually truly know. The distributor can be put in
> out of phase or incorrectly.
> 
> the other thought is ..
> watching the injectors actually spray...hanging out the engine ..as
> shown in Bently is a great test.
> And ...only ONE little screw to remove 2 injectors per side to get them
> hanging on the fuel hoses..
> that is NICE ! ..
> almost all other cars, even VW jettas with the same basic type of EFI
> don't allow this.  LIke not even a minute to get injectors on each side
> haning out where you can watch them spray.
> 
> oh..here's a GREAT little test too ..this is how I do it actually ...
> rather than crank the engine on the starter to watch the injectors spray ..
> I like to do it by turning the ( or 'a' ) distributors with my fingers
> ..key on.
> and each ignition pulse should make the fuel pump run, and all four
> injectors spray together.
> 
> I just grab my known-good spare distributor and plug the harness into
> it, leaving the engine's distributor in place.
> DO NOT ..
> to be safe, ever crank the engine without a distributor installed in it !!
> If the shims under the dist drive gear get of place...
> they can jam on the brass crankshaft gear even ..you could have a real
> mess to deal with.
> 
> maybe you guys think I'm a grumpy fart ...and wouldn't blame you if you
> did ..
> and maybe some people can't tell I am exceptionally experienced on these
> fine machines ...
> or maybe some  can tell  that I am  be pretty clever at times or hyper
> committed to excellent results and great value ...
> or maybe ya' all can't tell that..in any case,
> 
> Isn't  it ironic and weird
> that someone is running an intentional fraud scheme on me about their 85
> Westy ..claiming in legal court papers that I set their on van on fire
> and a dozen other insane fabrications..
> isn't that just weird ???
> To the tune of over $ 40,000 even.  Ya all please pray that rightness
> and justice prevail here.  Thanks !
> 
> Scott
> 
> On 12/7/2013 10:42 AM, OlRivrRat wrote:
>>               Steve
>> 
>>       I'm surprised that ScottD hasn't ChimedIn yet suggesting that you
>> should have a NoidLight so as to be able to check for a signal on the
>> InjectorWires. Is there possibly some sort of inductive pickup sensor
>> that you can get for your Fluke that might provided the needed info ~
>> probably expensive if it exists ~
>> 
>> ORR ~ DeanB
>> 
>> On 7 Dec , 2013, at 10:48 AM, Steve Cotsford wrote:
>> 
>>> I am woking on the '88 Biuestar I bought back in April and I am now
>>> feeling able to work on it.       The van came with an uninstalled
>>> 2.1 (not the original from this van) that was missing some parts
>>> etc. which back in May I installed with replacement parts, exhaust
>>> etc.    I believe I have assembled it with all the Injection system
>>> and ignition system complete.     My progress was cut short by a
>>> vehicle accident almost 6 months ago and only now do I feel able to
>>> pick up where I left off.
>>> I had a fight with an aftermarket door lock system from which I have
>>> removed a fuse and I am now able to make the starter and fuel pump
>>> work.
>>> I have fitted a replacement fuel pump, filters etc and have it
>>> working and seen fuel pressure at the system gauge point of up
>>> around 39 psi on a mechanical gauge.
>>> I have checked out the spark plug firing order and seen that the
>>> distributor rotor is pointing to the right position when the pulley
>>> mark is at TDC for cyl 1.
>>> 
>>> I have tried starting the engine multiple times and have had it
>>> firing consistently on 2 cylinders I believe.
>>> 
>>> I then checked the Digifant injectors with engine turning and I
>>> don't seem to have any spray pattern coming from them in spite of
>>> the 39psi supply although the 2 on the l/h assembly have been firing
>>> I believe.
>>> 
>>> I don't have any special equipment at my disposal as I live in the
>>> boonies about 1 1/2 hours away from a VW dealer or known VW
>>> mechanic.   I do however have a good Fluke meter and a Bentleys.
>>> I have been working on vehicles for 45 plus years though mostly VW
>>> diesels, Land Rovers and BMW motorcycles in recent years.
>>> 
>>> !       Is there any advice on how I can check that the injectors
>>> are not plugged and that they are getting a signal to activate
>>> them?    Should I just drive to a dealer or mechanic and have the
>>> injectors pressure tested by people who know what they are
>>> doing?      Can I use my Fluke meter to determine that the injectors
>>> are getting a correct firing signal?    at the right time? How
>>> does the ECU know when to fire the injectors?
>>> 
>>> 2       Is there a way I can be more sure that the timing is
>>> correct?    Once again, I have checked that the firing order is
>>> right and that the distributor  rotor is pointing towards the notch
>>> with the pulley mark at TDC on cyl 1.        The Bentley gives good
>>> advice on checking timing on a running engine but obviously I cant
>>> do that yet.     The fact that 2 seem to be firing should let me
>>> know something right?
>>> 
>>> 3       Any thing else that I should do?    Electrical tests.
>>> Mechanical tests.    Stuff that all Vanagon Digifant owners should
>>> know to do ??
>>> 
>>> Thanks,  Steve
>>