I dropped by his house last night to try something.  I exchanged his idle
stabilizer with mine.  Idle was much smoother.  Cleaned the contacts on the
plug....and put his back.  Seemed to run fine, but would have to wait 'til
the motor was cold again.  Called him this morning and he says that it fires
up right away.  I don't get it?!?!?!?  Could a poor connection on the idle
stabilizer really cause cold start problems????  Why wouldn't this be the
case when warm?
Karl Batzler
84 Vanagon
87 Audi 5000 S
La Quinta, CA

>Well, I seem to be on a "yeah, me too!" kick here.  My '81 has always
>been exactly like that.  Actually with mine, I usually turn it over a
>few times, then wait a few seconds, and on the second try it'll catch
>on the first revolution.  Very predictable, and very weird.  Your
>fuel-pressure idea is interesting... I've never measured what the
>pressure regulator is holding.
>
>        Gary