John,

Check the adjustment of the "throttle closed" switch on the throttle body. It
tells the control unit that the throttle is closed, both to cut off fuel when
coasting down, and to get proper throttle response when opening the throttle.

This does tend to go out of adjustment with time, usually so it never signals
that the throttle is closed. The Bentley manual covers the adjustment in
detail. On the '89 there is a single switch mounted on a plate below the
throttle body. As you just start to open the throttle (engine off) if you
listen close you should be able to hear it click. This should happen at just
.002-.004in gap at the throttle stop screw. (DON'T ADJUST THE THROTTLE STOP
SCREW! That will really screw you up.) Better than listening for a click is to
unplug the wire connector to the switch and check continuity with a meter.

On the flat plate where the switch is mounted are two socket-head screws. One
clamps the switch in place; the other adjusts a mounting cam to position it.
Loosen the clamp screw (towards the left) adjust the cam screw, and clamp in
place. It's hard to adjust while holding a feeler gauge at the stop screw - so
adjust & lock, then check the gap, etc.

This can make a big difference in how the car responds off a closed throttle.

Tom
Austin,TX

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From:   Vanagon Mailing List on behalf of Meiborg, John R
Sent:   Thursday, December 18, 1997 12:48 PM
To:     Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
Subject:        van sputters upon acceleration

Help! My '89 Syncro sputters when I accellerate in a new gear, or after
coasting in any gear. Seems to be an electrical problem...
Bad grounding?.... bad computer?...
TIA
Sean Meiborg

john meiborg
vvv