Date:         Sat, 20 Mar 1999 11:03:00 -0600
Reply-To:     Darrell Boehler <midwesty@MIDWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Darrell Boehler <midwesty@MIDWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon jerking in stop and go traffic
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

------------------
Hi Bruno,
    I would suspect the throttle switch adjustment.  The switch should break
with the slightest depression of the throttle.  If it doesn't break soon
enough the jerking problem can result.  You can unplug the switch and test
to be certain, or just readjust according to the bentley book.

Darrell

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruno Walser <76042.2543@COMPUSERVE.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, March 20, 1999 10:30 AM
Subject: Vanagon jerking in stop and go traffic


>Hello everyone,
>
>I own a 86 Westfalia with a 4 speed transmission, no AC. I just came
>accross this mailing list and hope to get some advise after several
>mechanics were unable to come up with a solution to my vans problem. Here
>it goes:
>While driving at relatively low speeds (10 .. 30 Miles / hour),and with
>RPM's at between 1000 and 2500, particularly in stop and go traffic in a
>traffic jam, the Vanagon starts to buck and jerk.  The bucking becomes
>gradually more violent if I just keep the car rolling at low power or even
>coasting in idle. The jerking can be stopped either by stepping on the
>clutch (engine goes into idle immediately, running smoothly, does not
>stall) or by accelerating.
>I have had the car in the shop several times, but all attempts to solve the
>problems failed. Some of the things done: new spare plugs,new spare plug
>wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter replaced, timing adjusted
>(helped a little), replaced air flow meter with a used one from the junk
>yard (same problem) and the PVC hose, O2 sensor and idle speed motor has
>been replaced.
>One shop detected a poor signal from the throttle switch and subsequently
>installed a new switch (switch kit), cleaned the idle stabilizer and
>detected that one injector sprayed irregulalry. Added a bottle of Techron,
>no change.
>The VW dealer suggested that there might be a  problem with the clutch. Of
>course, this can only be confirmed by pulling the transmission (expensive
>test). To me it seems unlikely to be the clutch as I do not have any
>problems shifting and also there are no other symptoms while driving which
>would point to the clutch. There is never a problem at normal driving
>(except slight jerking can be noticed when not driving under heavy load),
>accelerating or at high speeds, again only when going at low speeds with no
>or only little load.
>
>I have read the articles in the archives about the wiring harness, but the
>problems discribed there indicate that those problems occur at high speeds
>with power loss. Could the problem be related still?
>
>Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>
>Bruno
>
>P.S. I just purchased a set of original rear VW mud-flaps in Europe (the
>same used on the Transporter or Sychro, I belive), but they did not come
>with an installation guide. Is there anyone who has some experience in
>installing them?
>