On Tue, 10 Dec 1996, Scott Maurer wrote:
> 
> Also, after reconnecting the idle stabilizer, I tried to test it by putting
> the automatic transmission in drive and reverse, but did not see any timing
> advance.  
> Does this indicate the idle stabilizer is bad? 

As I read Bentley, yes, the stabilizer is bad.

> Bentley describes a load test by engaging 4th gear, but no procedure for
> automatic transmissions.
> 

You're right.  But Bentley's "Idle stabilezer, checking" section for air-
cooled vans reads exactly the same as the test for water-cooled vans for
vehicles with manual transmissions, and then has another test for vans
with automatic transmissions, which is:
    
          -apply foot brake
          -warm up engine until idle is less than 1,000
          -swich on all electirical equipment, including a/c
          -let engine idle and notice timing
          -place selector in a speed range
          -as engine drops below 940 rpm, timing must advance.

I can't imagine procedure is different for water-cooled vans.

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Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
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