Date:         Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:34:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      ignition switch or starter?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My '87 stock 2.1 Wolfsburg Vanagon has had (on top of many other problems- some solved, some not) some starting issues lately. In the past, the starter has not worked when very hot, and a tap with a hammer has got it going. It was mostly in the warmer weather, and I could live with it on an off until I got the money for a starter. 
 
But now I'm wondering if my ignition switch is starting to go as well. Yesterday I tried to start it and it wouldn't turn over. A knock on the starter didn't do the trick. This morning, still no start, but tonight, it started. But here's what makes me think it was still the starter and not the ignition switch- When I turned the key to the first position, I heard the fuel pump kick in for a second like it should. Then when I turned the key to the start position, it didn't turn over, but I heard the fuel pump again as I engaged the key. If the ignition switch were not sending current to the starter, I wouldn't have heard the fuel pump in the start position, would I? 
 
The lock feature that prevents you from turning the key to the start position while the van is running is broken. And there is an alarm installed by a previous owner, but the alarm enable/disable key fob seems to work, so I don't think the alarm was getting in the way.
 
I did read on the list recently about an ignition switch problem that would not engage the starter at the start position sometimes.
 
Am I right in thinking that my problem was still in the starter? That will be my next thing to do if I keep the van. I still can't solve my high idle/stumbling at first full throttle under load problem.
 
Thanks,
Ed Duntz in CT
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