Did you check inside the distributor cap for condensation?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 29, 2014, at 1:57 PM, Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG> wrote:
>
> 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.