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[Kev93]

So, I want to take a look at the air filter.

And I can't pull off the VAF connector ... so, being the dolt I am ... (have I mentioned my mechanical skills suck?) ... I take the two screws loose that hold the VAF connector into the VAF ... and pull.

Turns out that was a mistake.

So, can I find a wiring diagram to reconnect the VAF innards to its connector?  Or do I just need to replace the VAF (which appears to be $$$).

Blargh.  At least I had *something* else to drive to work today....

[tonlaw71]

Ouch! Have you since figured out how that connector comes off? I'm assuming you have. You can get a replacement VAF at the junk yard for a pretty good price. If you want to re-wire it, try the wiring diagrams at www.techcapri.com. Good luck!

[Rocketman]

It may need to be re-wired... you'll have to pop the black cover off. It's siliconed in.

The harness connector is held on by a thin, long wire clip - have to pry the ends up to remove the connector. It's setup the same way as the fuel injector clips but much longer.

[Kev93]

The harness connector is held on by a thin, long wire clip - have to pry the ends up to remove the connector.

Yes, that became obvious after I got it out of the engine compartment    

In my case, it was on the bottom ... perhaps that's always true; anyway, not so obvious in a half-dark garage at 10 pm....  

Tonlaw, I pulled down the '93 wiring diagrams at techcapri, but didn't see the VAF in there.  I may have figured it out, though; I'll have to wait until after work tonight to see if I can get it back together.

As for getting a replacement from salvage ... are all years compatible?  Any other models or makes?

If I manage to get it fixed, I'll come back and post my findings here for any future unfortunates

[Kev93]

BTW, I wondered since I now have experience with this subsystem, if I should install Rocketman's VAF adapter mod ...    

[tonlaw71]

All year NA VAFs are compatible and all year XR2 VAFs are compatible, but not vice versa. The VAF adapter is a must if you want to run an after market filter...I LOVE mine!

[Kev93]

Yeah, I've read about that as part of this debacle.  At least next time I'll be able to get the dang thing out without breaking it (well, likely, anyhow).

Do you get the extra HP and MPG from the aftermarket filter like they say?  And what filter do you use?

I'm still trying to track down my 6 MPG loss ...

[Kev93]

Update:  tried to solder it back together as apropos on the kitchen table.  Put it back in, and it runs ... kinda.  Enough I could get up to hiway speed and get 'er home, but I'm getting a C.E. light with what seems like an brief engine interrupt every so often. One possibility is that my soldering is bad enough I've got current arcing inside the thing.  Funny, it will actually start without the VAF connection and seems to run smoother, but (of course?) it won't idle with the VAF.  I suppose the fact it's smoother without the VAF might also indicate a fault as a result of my mangling the thing.

I need to go put the code reader on it, but I think I'm catching a cold (or worse), so I'm gonna quit for today (shame, but needed).  I didn't seen exactly what I was looking for at Techcapri, but I manged to find this:  

http://daleco.biz/images/stuff/capri/vaf.pdf

Which is a two-page doc with pin assignments and wire colors for the VAF connection.  Perhaps it will be helpful to someone in the future.

(daleco.biz was my consultancy site, and I verify the file is exactly what it says it is.) My WHOIS is publicly available.

[Rocketman]

Your capri should not run, or should not run for long anyways, if the VAF is disconnected. The fuel pump switch is in the VAF, and with it d/c there is nothing to tell the pump to run. Should lose fuel pressure rather quickly

[Kev93]

Yeah, it seemed odd to me, too ... I held the pedal down for what seemed quite a long time, and it only died when I let off.  It started at least 3 times with it disconnected and I'm not sure how long I ran it each time.  Would the fuel pump work for a few seconds at start while it waited for a signal from the VAF?

Next time I'll use a stopwatch, maybe - although I'm not sure there'd be any point ... not idling is a pretty serious issue!

[Kev93]

Well, I'd say I officially need to replace the VAF.  MPG is @15, EC coding (don't know WHICH code yet).

Any advice?  Russ, do you have one?

Rocketman ... good time to install an adapter?

[Kev93]

Well, finally back on the road late Tuesday night!

Used VAF from Mitch's Auto Parts (somewhere in MI, found on teh interwebs), new plugs/wires/distrib. cap.

While I was at it, I painted the VAF and the turbo charge intake pipe.  Unfortunately, torqued the pipe's anchor bolt in two.  Running w/o it currently.  Looks like a valve cover job is in the works?

[WickedClown]

The vaf meters don't need to be soldered like was mentioned in this post...

I made the mistake of pulling apart the connector as one of the first things I did to a capri. Just use pliers to reach into the box and grab the wires, connect them to the metal prongs on the connector, and clamp them so they don't come apart. If the car doesn't run like it did before, you matched the wrong wires.. just take it apart and try again. I didn't mark the wires, I just tried random combinations, about 8 times, until it worked as before, running smooth and no CEL.