Club 80-90 Forums

Hello all,

I am somewhat stuck again! I was hoping to now be writing a jolly post and say, yippeee....I am on board with you all.

However, STILL struggling to get my van going properly.

What is now odd is that I got back on Saturday having driven 1200 miles from Sussex, to Wales, and around Wales and back....and had the best weeks camping and driving ever.

All went perfectly well and the van performed absolutly spot on. I was looking forward to telling you about it!...and showing some pics too!

Having parked at home on Saturday I have not used it at all, it was last running just fine. But now the van cuts out (is it coincidence, or something that happened after a long journey....seems odd!).

I started again and went a bit further up the road, and same again. I tried this a few times and turned back....managing to get home by reving the hell out of it and slipping the clutch (the clutch has probably suffered here as it stinks!).

However, it doesnt back-fire.

I had changed the plugs a dist. cap before my long trip, but as I say van ran perfectly well for 1200 miles and has appeared to develop a fault since it stood for two days.

Engine starts fine, and when reving it seems fine...although possibly a bit "lumpy". There was no water or oil loss at all on the trip and both levels remain spot on. I have looked at the new plugs and they look OK. There is fuel in the tank.

It is a 1990 2.1

I really dont know where to begin sorting this, and any help at all would be massively.....and very gratefully ...very much so....recieved...

Help....thought all this was behind me for a while!

Thank you to anyone who can suggest any ideas.

Intermittent faults, the bane of our lives...
First off, which 2.1 engine? Does it have a lambda probe in the exhaust?
Could be a marginal earth problem. Check the main engine/transaxle.earth braids as well as the injector grounds (they all come together on the left hand head near the distributor, 10mm a/f bolt) often the crimps go green/black inside as they oxidize.
A cheap cola bath can help.

Ich fahre einen Bulli. Ich hilfe mir selbst...meistens!

My 1.9 did exactly the same about a month ago,turned out to be the ignition amplifier £45 from Brickwerks.

I'd say ignition amplifier.
Mine went a couple of years ago. stopped dead.
Got second hand one,
It was a bit different than my one it had cooling plate.
Banged in, off she went.
Not being the same as old one was a bit worried so I got new one.
Anyhow about a month ago van started to die spluttering and fartin found it hard to keep it going.
Banged in the second hand Wrong one.
Going fine ever since.
Moral of the long story.
If ya get one get a very good quality one,if it's not the problem, you will have it as a spare. You will have it when you do need it.

Right....sorted.

I now will admit to showing my ignorance...

But just in case this is of use to others, the problem was an ignition lead. On testing, one read poorly. Replacing that has solved the problem and had I the sense to work through this first then I wouldnt have needed to write this thread....except I did get to the problem in the end.

Lesson is to work slowley and logically through these things

Mind you I do now have a spare ignition amplifier too and always happy to have spares on board.

YIPPEEEEEEEEE.......I am finally back on the road again........