5ktq code 2113...

[Bernard Littau]

Dear Dr. List,

Patient is an '88 5ktq.

I had my '88 5ktq stall and not start again this evening when I exited the
freeway and was stopped for the red light at the cross street.  I did the
obligatory open the hood and try to look intelligently under the hood while
I was wondering what to do.  Since there were no obvious blown hoses or
loose parts, I scratched my head, went back into the car and tried to start
it again.  Whew, it started; back on the road.  Car often tried to stall at
idle on the rest of the trip home, and stumbled at high rpms, too.

When I got home, I had the rare presence of mind to not shut off the
ignition, and so was able to pull the codes: 2113 Hall Sensor in
distributor.

Not having had the pleasure of dealing with this part before, can someone
give me some BTDT on replacing the Hall Sensor.  Specifically, is this a
dealer only kind of thing, or is there a generic Bosch or VW part number I
could perchance acquire that will suffice?  Is the sender easy to replace,
or is it new distributor time?  (Some Ford models just have you replace the
whole distributor, as the hall sender is below a pressed on fitting...)

Thanks,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq