I didn't mention that the gauge will come up a bit on an empty tank.  Don't
ask me how I know.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steve Williams
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2014 1:57 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Won't Start in St. Helena, Napa County

Any recommendations for a shop or other expert to diagnose a failure to
start?  I'm with relatives in St. Helena, north of Napa, California.
There are a couple of shops in town, so I can call AAA on Monday when
they open.  But in the meantime, I'd welcome advice.

'84 Wolfsburg Westy with a Gowesty 2.3L waterboxer.  Driven several
times a week.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/volkswagen/vanagon/1984/sbw/16898

Ran fine 100 miles on the way up here Thursday after having a coolant
hose replaced the day before at Peninsula Automotive.

Camped two nights in the driveway with the charger plugged in.  Now it
won't start.  Light rain last night, but it rained harder down in Santa
Cruz a few days ago.

The fuel pump comes on and then goes off when I turn the key, and
there's fuel in the tank.  The topped-off battery spins the gear
reduction starter just fine.  The engine fires only occasionally while
cranking.  The cranking is interrupted periodically by a brief
"stall"--ill-timed spark, maybe?

Nothing obviously wrong in the engine compartment, but I'm no expert.

Clogged fuel filter?  Bad ECU?  (I've got a never-tried spare ECU with
me.)  Anything else I might try on my own?

Thanks, all.