

| Subject: | Idle question |
| From: | Bruce Todd |
| Date: | Sat, 26 Sep 2020 09:22:04 -0700 |
Good day everyone - I am curious to know whether other stock vanagons typically - when started, spike very briefly to about 2000 rpm for several milliseconds and then drop to about 950? Eventually as the vehicle warms the idle drops a little bit more to about 900 rpm for regular operation. That has always been the way my van (2.1 digifant) has started when healthy. I replaced the control unit about 2 years ago after having a fluctuating idle that would slowly begin to increase to 1800 to 2500 to 3000 rpm as the van warmed up and when the van was in neutral or stopped with the clutch in. During this issue - I swapped out the ICU with one I borrowed from a mechanic I have known for many years and everything went back to normal and so I ordered a new ICU and haven't looked back. Again the start up process whether with the borrowed or the new ICU had the very quick spike in rpm once started - enough to kick the battery / alternator indicator off and then would settle down to about 900 rpm or so. Last week - I started the van and the idle was flat - no quick spike and just set high enough not to stall - about 850 rpm or so. I had to nurse the motor a little with the throttle for about a minute and then give it a little gas to shut off the battery indicator. Once I get through the rough idle on start up - it drives fine. The idle stabilizer vibrates with key on and prior to start up and the throttle body "clicks" in the low throttle and higher throttle position. I plan to go back and try out another ICU - but before doing this I wanted to know if this sounds like a problem with the ICU or whether it could be another gremlin lurking in the engine compartment. Other than this little issue - we have a great summer of camping and problem free driving. Bruce 86 Syncro Westy
Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »