Driving today on the NY thruway, not a care in the world, going down a
moderate hill at 3200 rpm or so, and the engine turns off like a
switch. No roughness, no hesitation, just OFF, RPM=0.

I pulled over and checked every wire, twice. Resistance across coil is
1.2 ohms which is a bit out of specs (Bentley manual says .5-.8 ohms
required). No fuel from injectors, no spark. Starter turns over and
chugs along merrily with no response from engine. I don't think its
the fuel pump, as that would cause a slow stall, not an immediate off,
right?

I suspect the coil because it looks like its been around for a while. 
Any other suspects?  I can't imagine the computer would just throw in
the towel like that...

My vanagon was towed to an unknown mechanic so I'm expecting some
interesting phone calls tomorrow.

What should I ask the mechanic to look at?  Seems like only a few
specific things could make an engine just turn off like that.

-- 
Garrick, Queens, NY
'87 GL Weekender

*****
With fond remembrances of:
'77 Beetle 
'67 Bus 
'59 Pickup sn# 460440
'67 Beetle
'76 Camper Bus