Date:         Wed, 11 Sep 2002 19:05:05 EDT
Reply-To:     HJaynes1@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Harold Jaynes <HJaynes1@AOL.COM>
Subject:      84 Vanagon Starter problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Let me start out by saying, I am part of the masses that read the volumes of
posts and am greatly appreciative of the technical expertise that exists
among the members of this list. Many of you provide indepth explanations on
complicated engine repairs when you could just opt and leave us to the oft
overpriced service departments of dealerships and many independent repair
shops.I can't honestly say that I have much to contribute to the list other
than the love and joy of owning and driving my Vanagon, one of three I have
owned. I could own any number of cars that would be more dependable than a
Vanagon. I own an expensive luxury car, but choose to toodle around in my
viper red Whale with its huuuuuuge sunroof because it's cool and is a
throwback to growing up in a family that owned a "loaf", living in Europe and
driving a "loaf" and driving all over South Africa in a "brick". I'm sure I
could put in a engine from a Japanese car too which would be more dependable,
but if I'm going to do that I might as well just go buy an Outback instead of
turning my Vanagon into some Frankensteinwagen. I'm glad you guys with
transplanted engines have more horsepower/torque et al, but as for me, nein
danke to a SuBLAHru or any Japanese engine in it.  (By the way, I love
Japanese cars too, just keep their engines out of my Whale!)I stopped working
on engines over twenty years ago after dropping a transmission on my chest
while replacing a clutch on my Z-28 and I can't say that I particularly miss
bloody knuckles anymore. However; I am relegated from time to time to doing
simple procedures ....which brings me to my hopefully simple procedure!

I was driving from Philly to Washington DC on Sunday.  I stopped at a rest
area on I-95 and upon returning to the car and turning the keys, nothing
happened.  No click, No grind. Nothing.  Fortunately, I was on a tiny bit of
an incline so I push started the Vanagon and it started right up and I drove
the rest of the way back.  Upon arriving here, I attempted to start the car
up again, but with the same result. Nothing.  Lights and all accessories
(like there are many on a Vanagon) come on, but no starter action.  Cables
were all clean. The starter is only two years old.  Before I start tearing
things apart, is there some common sense idea you folks might have as to what
might be wrong with my precious jewel?

Your responses are GREATLY appreciated.

Harold
Washingotn DC