I for one have discovered the ignition switch to be the culprit of
unexplained electrical gremlins. My headlights, wiper/washer and rear
heater fan were inoperable. The dealer replaced the ignition switch for
$81.26 w/ labor and all is well. It's only a $29.00 part and would be
well worth considering.

Mike
87 Westy  w/ lights again!!

Tonya Pope wrote:
>
> For all those recommending to Carl the capacitor fix and wire harness,
> he stated in his initial post that he already bought the harness from
> the dealer and it made no difference.
>
> Carl - the capacitor fix you've been told about is the $1.50 version of
> that $160 thing the dealer gave you.  (hey, I've got one of them too,
> although I found mine for $119)
>
> Given your choices so far:
> > 1.  Ignition switch  ($30 to replace)
> > 2.  Air sensor  ($450 for part)
> > 3.  fuel filter
> > 4.  Fuel pump
> > 5.  Water in cooling system
> > 6.  some pretty technical solution that involves splicing a resistor > (or something like that...I'm pretty thick when it comes to > electricity) into pin number 4 on the air  intake harness
> > 7  and a few more that ZI can't think of just this moment.  I left the
> > printed messages at work.
>
> 1 - well, I'm at least one of the people that suggested that one (the
> heavy keychain culprit)
>
> 2 you can definately get for cheaper (someone already referred you) but
> I'm not sure if it'd completely cut you off if bad, but I guess it could
>
> 3 and 4 possible but questionable given that resetting system fixes
> things temporarily
>
> 5 no; although water in fuel system could
>
> 6 you've already done.
>
> 8 (recently suggested) was temp sensor - no; at least when mine went out
> it produced a chug-chug-cough-sputter routine, never just cut out on me
>
> Another to add to your list, vacuum leak although this too is very
> questionable - I had one of the lines that plug into the boot by the air
> box come completely off and it killed instantly, would not could not
> start.  An intermittent leak of significant proportions (perhaps a hose
> where the bottom has rubbed thin and if its jiggled just right springs
> its leak) could do this.
>
> Carl, make sure I'm repeating you properly, but the problem is it
> completely shuts off like you've turned off the ignition key, right?  No
> cough-cough, no hesitation, no loss of power, no recovery other than
> re-starting the ignition - right??
>
> hope to help,
> Tonya
> 87 Vanagon GL Wolfs