I'm not so sure the heater circuit and road-junk deflector is 'that'
important.

lots and lots of 83 to 85 1.9 waterboxers run just fine without either
one of those.

I run 'em if I got 'em ..
even retro-fit heated 02 sensors to 1.9's
Havn't found those two items to be critical at all, heater and deflector.

Shorted, or problem with wire to the ecu ..
I believe in those for sure.

On 3/21/2016 5:31 PM, Jeff Palmer wrote:
> Wow if that isn’t vanagon syndrome then what is?  Seriously - it is a legitimate condition or just a catch-all to explain a number of different scenarios?
>
> I am assuming then they are almost identical symptoms with different causes then?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
>> On Mar 20, 2016, at 9:04 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>
>> Your symptoms are typical of an O2 sensor or system failure. The slight
>> improvement in running is also part of that indication. As the sensor goes
>> off line the mixture will go rich as the ECU is looking for that sensor
>> input. Without the sensor feedback the ECU continues to richen the mixture
>> until you get the choke and puke effect.
>>
>> Go check the archives for lots of O2 sensor information. You need to test
>> both the circuit and the operation of the sensor itself. The sensor is also
>> heated so you need to make sure that the heater is good and that the power
>> supply to it is also good. When the sensors are weak or the catalyst is shot
>> the sensors can get to cold due to highway wind and stop working. From the
>> factory there was a deflector clipped on to help with this.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Jason Ellis
>> Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2016 9:59 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Vanagon syndrome...it sucks!
>>
>> Ok all, I've searched The Samba and tons of other websites for my issue.
>> Maybe one of the gurus here can help.
>>
>> I have typical vanagon syndrome symptoms. Driving on highway for a while,
>> then suddenly loss of power and bucking.  Turn off engine, restart and all
>> is good for an indeterminate amount of time. I did notice that just before
>> (10 sec or so) the power loss starts, I seem to have a smoother running
>> engine with a hair more power. I also had the syndrome start and I exited
>> the freeway with very little power. I shifted into 3rd and it chugged a
>> couple of times and the BAM, like a switch was turned on, the van power came
>> back. Drove home another 30 min on highway with no problem.
>>
>> I have done the following:
>> 35v 22uF capacitor between 2(+) & 4(-) on harness to AFM New fuel line,
>> pump, filter, tank, and pressure regulator Refurbished, cleaned and flow
>> tested injectors New alternator harness
>>
>> I have not cracked open AFM. I started to, but I didn't want to screw up
>> anything.
>>
>> Any thoughts?  Anyone have a spare good AFM I could test out?  I hate to
>> spend money on a AFM when I could be sourcing parts for either an engine
>> swap or a Megasquirt setup. I'm at my wits end. I drove about 70 miles on
>> Friday and during a 30mile stretch I had the syndrome pop up every 1/2 mile.
>>
>> Thanks for the help!
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Jason Ellis