Recap:

My wife reported that she was motoring along in her '88 Wolfsburg when "it
just quit."  It started right back up, no problems for a few days.

Then, last night, it refused to leave the driveway.  Crank and crank, no
start.  Sometimes it would start, stumble along for a minute or two, then
expire.

I turned to the list for help.  "Are you SURE there's gas in the tank?"
"Here's a checklist of items" and "put your hand on the fuel pump while
somebody cranks it over" were among the ideas received.

I reached under the Vanagon while my wife cranked the ignition.  Fuel pump
working fine.  Good thing too, the damn things run about $250.

A few hours later my electrician buddy dropped by - he helped with the Spark
Test.  Pulled the coil wire to watch it perform while I turned the key. A
sudden shout of "OK!" told me the ignition was working fine.

Time to swap something out. $15.15 for a fuel filter.  Seattle sunshine
pouring down as I lay in the driveway.

Results? Positive. Fired right up, runs fine. I drove it around the block a
few times, no stumbling.  Wife drove to the market, no problems.

So, thanks to list, that Vanagon-ignoring, Interstate loving flamefest came
through for me again. Many thanks to all.

Anybody know how to keep the side door from popping open?  Starting to drive
the wife nuts...

Charles "Luke" Lukey
Seattle, WA