I had a similar problem on my 86 VW Golf.  Would be driving along fine
then all of a sudden the tach would drop to zero, the car would lurch,
then die.  may or may not restart imeediately.  if i got out shook all
the wires, would start right up and run fine the rest of the day.
problem got progressively worse (summer and damp weather especially).

Replaced hall sensor,  plugs, cap, etc...nothing helped.

Finally fixed it by cleaning all the grounds everywhere i could find
one.  Problem never resurfaced.

eric

>From:    Matthew Wallenfang <mwallenf@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Subject: 87 possible ignition problem

  >   Does anyone have any idea what's causing me and my Vanagon so
>much   grief?
>     I have an 87 Vanagon that has an intermittent engine problem that
>is a    significant player in our love/hate relationship.  From time to
time
e