89 avant computer problems

[Jay Eienlohr <jay@eisenlohr.com>]

I have a '89 Avant 200.  Recently the car has been running rough at full
throttle and ¾ throttle.  Coughing sputtering etc. and not achieving
full boost. The car is hard to start, long crank time.  I just recently
took it in to a shop I've used before with good luck.  They told me that
they can check the memory of the engine management computer for
defaults, but they are not able to read the real-time diagnostics,
temperatures, pressures, etc.  

The car is in the shop right now and they are manually going through the
car to check for sensor functionality, because they don't have a
replacement computer  Anyone out there have any experiences like this a
sure could use your help. The clock is ticking at the service shop.