Engine quits mysteriously

Georgia Boy · Post by **Georgia Boy** » Tue Jan 30, 2001 2:21 pm

I am the original owner of a 1985 GL. This car has 245,000 miles on the original engine. The only major repair has been head gaskets. Several times this winter the engine has stopped mysteriously. It is always before the engine is fully warmed-up and always within 1 mile of home. When the engine stops the tach indicates zero, even though the drive train is continuing to drive the engine. When I attempt an immediate restart the engine turns over nicely but no fire, nothing. After the car sits for 30 minutes to one hour it will start fine. This only happens on cold mornings. Occasionally the car has refused to start when dead cold. Again, no fire during start attempts. I've had this car to two VW specialty shops and neither could duplicate the problem. Any ideas?

Georgia Boy

GTVkafer · Post by **GTVkafer** » Sat Mar 17, 2001 10:43 pm

Sounds like a coil Going bad. it is getting hot then stops working that would acount for no fire

Larry Jacobson · Post by **Larry Jacobson** » Thu Jul 19, 2001 8:28 am

I am working on a similar situation on my 78 type 2 bus though my car also 'stumbles' or gets jerky, especially in the lower rpm range. It can be fine for a time, then 'stumbles' or quits and takes 30 min or so to be able to start. I've replaced the elec. control unit and air control box with used ones. Worked for awhile. I'll try the double relay next. All fuel injection stuff in my case I believe

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Aug 04, 2001 2:43 pm

Georgia Boy, these are classic symptoms of cylinder head temp sensor . A faulty sensor will cause the car to die within a mile and restart in about a half hour. Very easy to remedy. R&R temp sensor. Good Luck. Bob

vwnate1 · Post by **vwnate1** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 8:08 am

I'm with Bob here - a cold start sensor should do the trick . I'm not familiar with the late fuel injection - might have an " air charge temp. sensor " in the airbox too .
let us know if you ever sort it out .

------------------
-Nate
Filth & Greed Imports
(the LAST honest VWshop)

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 8:30 am

This is a common ghost in Vanagons. My son's 87 (250,000) recently started similar symptoms. Thinking along the same lines I replaced the temp sensor II (thermostat housing on waterboxers, not cylinder head), coil, O2 sensor, fuel pump (as they were all well-used items) and traded ECU with my wifes 91. None of these have had an effect.
The air-flow meter is a known problem area (replaced about a year ago), so I'll swap those tonight. FYI a couple times in years past I've driven off after maintenance without re-connecting the AFM, and the car would run fine for a few miles before stopping, so the AFM must not have much effect during warmup - so this is a good area to check.
The dual relay (ECU and fuel pump) is another possibility, as I've had AC relays work fine when cold and then break when warm. Other possibles are ground strap connections and hall sender. If I get through all those the wiring harness is all that's left.
I'll post if I find a cause - but it may be different on your van!