Here's Alistair's page on the subject:

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/vanagon-ignition-switch/

BenT

sent from my electronic leash

On Nov 11, 2012, at 4:00 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote:

> My 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile with stock 2.1 liter engine and manual transmission has quit. This morning I was at a remote location in the Oklahoma Ozarks. I got everything packed up and ready to roll (in a driving rain, no less), but when I hit the ignition switch, all I got was the proper blinking lights and silence, a behavior I have never, never experienced with this beast. Not a buzz, not a click, but silence. I switched off and on several times, and released and depressed the clutch several times, and bingo -- engine turned over and the vehicle started. I had to buy gasoline after a drive of 50 miles or so, and the same thing happened. Then I drove home, parked in my driveway, and shut off the engine. This time no go when I tried to start it again. The same exact silence as before, except this time I could not find a "sweet spot" that would get the engine to turn over. > > It seemed to me as if there was no current to the starter. At this point, I have not explored anything, as I was pretty tired when I got here. Tomorrow, I'll see what gives. But, I'm asking first, where to start. Switch on the clutch pedal, ignition switch, wire to the starter? The thing ran fine all the way home in the pouring rain, lights on, everything seemingly normal, so I don't really suspect the battery or the charging system. It's almost as if something is loose, but what are the best candidates? > > Thanks, mcneely