Mark,

This is weird, because the same exact thing happened to me on Sunday! Like you, 
I was on my way to a bike ride (you know the Calavares loop near Fremont/Sunol?)
Hopped in, fired 'er up, and alas, no idle. BTW, I have an '82 Westy. But, it 
only occurred when the engine was cold. (ie. good idle when motor warmed up) I 
thought, hmmm, something with the cold start valve or aux air regulator. Sure 
enough, there is a rubber elbow on the hose that runs into the auxiliary air 
regulator, and that had corroded and broken. Its a cloth braided hose, about 
1/2" around on top of your motor.

The local dealer actually had it in stock ($3). Whew, an easy one for a change!

Hope you're as lucky,

Erik.

In message <9504031627.AA08040@WC.Novell.COM>  writes:
> I'm in a real bind here, so I hope someone can help me out...
> 
> My 81 Vanagon keeps dieing unless I keep the accelerator
> pressed slightly.  In other words, car is fine when gas
> pedal is pressed, but once my foot comes off the pedal,
> it dies.  At stoplights I have to keep pumping the gas
> to keep it from dieing, and if there's a sudden stop
> on the freeway, it's a white knuckle situtation to keep
> it from konking out.
> 
> It's a 4-speed; 140k miles, I'm the third owner; and
> could use a valve job.  I run plain unleaded gas and
> 20/50 oil.
> 
> Any help is *REALLY* appreciated (I've got to get to
> a bike race early sunday morning).
> 
> -- 
> Mark Chandler    510-975-4522        chandler@wc.novell.com
> Novell, Inc.     Walnut Creek, CA    mpc@crl.com

NSC Analog Automotive Systems  Tel. (408)721-3476  Fax (408)721-8292  M/S C2480