Date:         Tue, 8 Apr 2008 20:50:44 -0400
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Fw: Odd ignition issue
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original

I've had this happen a few times in my 18 year run with our '88.  Check the
single wire plug connector on the starter solonoid.  They get dirty and
corroded, and mine has popped off once.  If that doesn't do it, the next
suggestion would be to give the solonoid a mild thump with a piece of pipe
or something similar while someone else turns the key.  Having the engine
and starter electrics at the rear of the vehicle means that they get a LOT
more road crud tossed up on them than if they were in the front.  The
starter solonoid seems to be a common victim of this.

Gary
'88 Tiico 5spd

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: Odd ignition issue


> First I would clean battery/starter connections, then I would look
> toward the ign switch, or starter solenoid.
>
> My first thought was ign switch though FWIW.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 6, 2008 at 7:55 PM, Jarrett Anthony Kupcinski
> <kpcnsk@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> For the second (or possibly third) time in the past week I went to
>>  start up the van and when I turned the key all the normal idiot lights
>>  came on, but the engine did not crank. However, I immediately turned
>>  the key to off and tried again and the van started right up without
>>  any hesitation. This hasn't happened consistently, which is why I'm
>>  not sure if it's happened more than twice in the past week. When I
>>  started the van later, the issue didn't present itself.  I've never
>>  seen it happen before this week, which is why I am concerned. Does
>>  this symptom sound familiar to anyone? Is it a sign of a failing
>>  starter? Computer? Something else?  Thanks for your input.
>>
>>  Jarrett
>>  89 Camper GL - Oly
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
>
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/