idle stabilizing unit connector problem

Post by **ben50** » 23 Sep 2008, 21:21

Hi, I have a 2.0L Air cooled of 1981 vintage. Recently the engine has been misfiring and losing a bit of power. I had a look at the distributor cap and Rotor arm which had definitely seen better days, I wiped them out and all seemed ok fro a day or two then the problem reemerged. So I replaced, both items with new from GSF. the problem is still there though, although much less severe, it just seem to loose a bit rather than any popping or banging noises.

Anyway while I was looking around the engine bay, I noticed that the idle stabilizing unit was hanging down and resting on the engine tinware, as the lugs that the fixing screw go through were snapped off. And the of the two connector plugs that insert into the bottom of the unit, on only has 2 wires connected properly, the other wire is fed into the unit and then the connector has been forced over the top to secure it.

So I guess I want to know could this be the cause of the loss of power? Either way I would like to sort out the connector properly, is it possible to rewire the connectors, or am I looking at a replacement loom? I have looked on VAGcat but I can't find a part number for the connectors.

Any Ideas anyone??

Cheers in advance

Ben

Post by **wasserleaker** » 23 Sep 2008, 22:23

dont know if this is the cause of your problems, but if you need to fix the plugs anyway, vehicle wiring products in derbyshire do various replacement crimp on terminals....http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... mepage.php

i have used some from them before to repair broken off block connector terminals on mine (although not the round type in the connectors you are on about) you may need to make a tool to depress the little tab to pull the terminals out of the plastic cnnctr, then cut off, and recrimp new ones on, and re insert. the wire insulation sometimes gets hard and brittle with age and heat and cracks near the connector, and all you can do is cut back to a good flexible bit, and crimp new terminals on. their catalogue is worth getting, as they may have what you need in there. hope that helps

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 23 Sep 2008, 22:24

Not sure about replacement parts for this unit but as a makeshift soloution to the problem you can connect the two plugs together without the idle stabilizing unit in between. Should let you know if this is the cause of the problem anyway.
You may just have to find a way of connecting the damaged leads together for this to work until a more permanent solution can be found.

Post by **ben50** » 25 Sep 2008, 07:55

Cheers guys, looks like i'll be getting my hands dirty at the weekend again

Post by **toomanytoys** » 25 Sep 2008, 08:44

Throw the idle stabilizer away and connect the connectors/wires together (colour to colour) and insulate them..

idle speed may need a slight adjustment up

It will run much better...