Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: erratic running - Help requested
From:David Beierl
Date:Sun, 13 Jun 1999 12:48:41 -0400

At 05:45 6/13/99 -0800, Fred D. Dyen wrote:
>My van idles fine, but the minute power is added the engine accelerates
>monentarily,
>then drops off.  For instance the tach indicates an idle of approximately
>1000 rpm.
>when gas is added it will go to 2000 rpm, then drop off to 0 rpm and continue
>hunting.   Impossible to drive.  Any assistance is welcome.

Sounds like a stuck idle switch on the throttle body.  Up to '84s have two
switches in plain sight, later ones have one switch buried underneath, but
either way they make a (single) circuit if the throttle is closed and again
if it is wide open.  Anywhere in between the circuit must be open.  If it
is stuck closed at partial throttle the fuel will shut off above 1500 RPM,
giving your exact symptom.

If that's your problem, yell and someone (maybe even me) can give you the
adjustment procedure from Bentley.  Don't forget to say what year you're
talking about...

david

David Beierl - dbeierl@ibm.net