I just had a kind of similar problem on an 87, but mine would sometimes
just die as I was driving. It started with just a brief sensation of
loss of power, almost like I imagined it. Maybe just once every time I
was out driving for a while. Then one day the brief loss became a
noticeable jerk with a drop in the tach reading. Finally, I was in a
quiet neighborhood, came to a stop sign, and it just died. Crank,
crank... nothing. Fuel pump running each time key was turned on. I was
very near my brothers house and I called him to come help me push it
over to the curb. I opened the lid and looked things over, didn't see
anything. I had him crank it while I pulled the center lead from the
dizzy cap to check for spark. Good strong sparks. He said, "put your
spare ECU in and stop messing around". I did so and it started right up.
Great I thought, glad that's fixed. Nope. Next day I am headed for a
doctor's appointment, about 3 blocks from home it just dies as I am
driving, again no tach, even in gear and rolling with the key still on
engine turning. My wife comes to get me and I grab a different van and
race off. Back from the doc I go to the van. Crank, crank, no start. I
plug in another spare ECU. No go. I hook up my wiring bypass tool even
though I don't expect it to help, since the fuel pump cycles with each
key on like it should. Nope, doesn't help. As I am unplugging the bypass
tool I spot a bare spot on one of the 3 hall wires, right at the level
where it rubs against the metal cap shield that many wbx dizzy have. I
push the wires away from metal rim. Try the key, fires right up! Great I
thought, glad that's fixed. I get it home and fix the damaged wire
properly. Seems ok but I feel a slight jerk sometimes that I hope I am
imagining. I get a spare dizzy ready and stash it in the back. A week
later, another trip to the doc. On the freeway almost there it cuts out
same way as before. I coast over to the side and it jumps back to life.
I press on to an exit. It dies at the light. Starts again, I pull into a
lot, and open her up. Time for the spare dizzy. It's ready to go, with
timing clamp already on it, swap takes about 3 minutes and no need to
check timing since the clamp sets the timing. Fires right up and on my
way. That was a week ago. I have been driving it a lot and no issues
since the dizzy swap.
Glad that's fixed.....

Mark

JRodgers wrote:
> Yargh! Here we go again - me and my vans.
>
> Ok. The situation. Very hot day. Parked in the Wally world parking lot
> and went inside. Came back out, key in the ignition, ignition on - check
> idiot lights,  listen for fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system, key
> to start position.........
>
> Grind, Grind, Grind......Nothing!
>
> Key off. Wait a few -- then re-cycle.......Grind, Grind, Grind.
>
> Tried a third time - same-o, same-o! Grind, Grind, Grind.
>
> Key, off - then back to "On". Race to the rear, pop the hatch, open
> engine bay, crack the bolt on the fuel "T" on to p of the engine. Lot's
> of fuel. Tightened the bolt. Turned off ignition, Closed it all up,
> looked for loose wires. Nada!
>
> Being by myself, I could not very well turn the engine to check for
> spark at plugs nor coil.
>
> Let it sit for an hour while I went and had a Subway Sandwich for lunch.
> Then back at it.
>
> Key in, turn on, lights and pump, key to ignition ---------
>
> Fired right up. Drove home.
>
> Question: how the devil do you hunt for something as intermittent as that.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>