Also the other suspect is the AFM acting good/bad randomly... The hard part
of the diagnostic is to drive it and wait until the problem shows up...
aaaarrgghh....

:-)

On Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 1:54 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> The ICV tested good, it vibrates when ignition ON and it stops. The van
> starts and idles fine this morning (38°F). I'd think everything is fine. I
> suspect that the ICV acts up when the engine is warm or whenever it likes
> to act randomly, pumping air when the engine doesn't need it.... more
> testing...
>
> thank you,
>
> dan
>
> On Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 8:41 AM Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Easy to test whether it is functioning.  The idle stabilizer will vibrate
>> with ignition in the on position.  Just touch it to see if it working.
>>
>> BT
>>
>> On Saturday, December 3, 2022, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > The Stabilizer is supposed to kick up idle speed on a cold start then
>> shut
>> > off after warm up. And if I remember correctly it also will kick up rpm
>> > near idle when the AC is on. Finally it will do the same thing when
>> > steering limits are reached and power steering is straining. All of
>> this is
>> > aimed at keeping the engine running when operational limits are
>> approached
>> > and not stalling out. If the valve fails, it can be disconnected and if
>> the
>> > engine is warm it should run just fine, although a cold start may take
>> some
>> > effort.
>> >
>> > On Sat, Dec 3, 2022 at 8:50 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Update...
>> > >
>> > > So the van started fine, ran fine... I made a run of 20 miles to town,
>> > let
>> > > it sit for 30 minutes to get pet food in the store... When I went out
>> it
>> > > cranked but didn't start.. after some more tries it started... But
>> when I
>> > > got it on gas it almost died... So I looked at the engine and
>> scratched
>> > my
>> > > head...
>> > >
>> > > Then on impulse I disconnect the idle control valve (fat thing on on
>> the
>> > > top of the engine)... --- and woahhh,, it ran like nothing ever
>> > happened...
>> > >
>> > > I will keep searching and fixing... but what the *"f...k"* that thing
>> is
>> > > doing to the running of the engine? It is supposed to regulate the
>> idle
>> > by
>> > > its name right?
>> > >
>> > > I came home good and safely... another test tomorrow...
>> > >
>> > > thanks all.
>> > >
>> > > dan
>> > >
>> > > On Sat, Dec 3, 2022 at 11:40 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > btw... I agree and suspect that either (or both) Temp2 and O2
>> > sensors...
>> > > I
>> > > > just started it under the rain and she ran fine, idle fine...
>> > > >
>> > > > On Sat, Dec 3, 2022 at 11:09 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >> Thank you all for your suggestions...
>> > > >>
>> > > >> It's my daughter's tintop van - 1988, 2.1 WBX, 290k miles - bought
>> in
>> > > >> 2005 from a VW mechanic. The previous owner bought it in for a
>> rebuild
>> > > on
>> > > >> the engine at around 100k miles and the PO ran out of $ to take it
>> > back,
>> > > >> the mechanic sold it to me to recoup parts and labor at $3.5K. I
>> kept
>> > it
>> > > >> for 3 years then gave it to my daughter after her graduation. It
>> ran
>> > > well
>> > > >> for 17 years with regular maintenance and small repairs familiar to
>> > all
>> > > of
>> > > >> us.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> For 2 days snow and rain here I am waiting for a break in the
>> weather
>> > to
>> > > >> work on it. I will keep you updated.
>> > > >>
>> > > >> thanks again and have a good weekend....
>> > > >>
>> > > >> dan
>> > > >>
>> > > >>
>> > > >>
>> > > >> On Sat, Dec 3, 2022 at 9:22 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net
>> >
>> > > >> wrote:
>> > > >>
>> > > >>> Hi Dan,
>> > > >>>
>> > > >>> Any updates on your situation?
>> > > >>> Can you remeind me of the year and engine ignition system for your
>> > van.
>> > > >>> Any additional info?
>> > > >>> Eric Caron
>> > > >>>
>> > > >>>
>> > > >>> > On Dec 2, 2022, at 3:36 PM, Raimund Feussner <ray@V6BUS.DE>
>> wrote:
>> > > >>> >
>> > > >>> > If engine warm, not cold
>> > > >>> > I think to remember?!
>> > > >>> >
>> > > >>> >
>> > > >>> >
>> > > >>> > Am 02.12.2022 um 21:27 schrieb Dennis Haynes:
>> > > >>> >>  Temp sensors and related wiring will usually cause the most
>> grief
>> > > >>> getting the engine started.
>> > > >>> >> Dennis
>> > > >>> >>
>> > > >>> >>
>> > > >>>
>> > > >>
>> > >
>> >
>>
>