I had an '85 Jeep Wagoneer LTD that did this. Only in that case I had
to turn the ignition off, let it sit for a while - then turn it back on,
and it would run fine until the next episode. The fix for that turned
out to be a new ECU.

In this current van, I've never had this particular problem that worked
just like this. I have had roughness to develop, and simple
disconnection of the O2 sensor took care of the problem. I had that
problem on both my '85 GL with the 1.9L WBX, and this current '88 GL
with the 2.1L WBX. .But never, ever have I experienced this gradual
increase in roughness, only to clear it with a simply turn off/turn on
of the ignition.

Of course, all this leads me to the question - what is the cause of  the
Vanagon Syndrome, exactly?? I thought the 1.9L engines were the ones
that suffered the problem. So what do I know?

I'll research this, but it would be nice to get a short answer to that
question.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 12/27/2010 3:23 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> sounds like Vanagon Syndrome.
> Most 2.1's have an adapter harness added to prevent Vanagon Syndrome (
> search it online ...lots to read )
>
> and ...since it perked up with less electrical load...
> I'd be wondering if the charging voltage is high enough to run
> everything, including the fuel injection and ignition and all that
> other stuff.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 12:46 PM
> Subject: Progressive rough running - until ignition reset
>
>
>>  Volks,
>>
>> I have a general Vanagon troubleshooting question - today driving home
>> from an enjoyable Christmas gathering with all my family,   the van
>> engine started twitching - a little skip at first, then as the miles
>> rolled it got worse and worse. I was sweating getting home in all that
>> snow and rain and raw weather we were having, and sure as heck didn't
>> want to stall out and spend time on the side of the road in that
>> weather. I managed to make it off I-65 at the southern exit onto Shelby
>> Co 25 on towards Columbiana. By the time I got to the last hill just
>> outside town - I was down to about 10 miles an hour, and coasted down
>> that hill into town to the main stoplight. The plan was to go through
>> the light on green, and pull over in a BigBox store parking lot. Didn't
>> get the chance. Light changed, and the engine stalled. I turned off the
>> wipers, the heater fans, and the head lights, shut off the ignition, and
>> then hit the switch again. She fired right up, purring like a kitten. No
>> more trouble......... until well up the road. Same thing over again.
>> Just a little twitchy at first, then got progressively rough. This time,
>> while coasting, I turned the switch off, and back on. The engine cleared
>> it throat, and purred like a kitten. Did it twice more before I got
>> home.
>>
>> So - what could be happening that turning the ignition off and back on,
>> results in temporary clearing the problems. At first I thought fuel,
>> then some king of ignition trouble, then an electrical fault for sure.
>> Electronics somehow.
>>
>> Any ideas??
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John
>>
>> --
>> John Rodgers
>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>> Chelsea, AL
>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>