Date:         Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:10:02 -0500
Reply-To:     David <okdavid5555@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David <okdavid5555@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Starting system quirk - diagnosis help needed
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Hi Gabby --

I did resolve the starter issue, and it was not the ignition switch after all.

It was determined that the starter worked perfectly when it was cold - or at least when not hot. When the starter was hot, it failed to operate.  So I could have left things status quo, and any time the starter refused to work just wait the dang thing out until it cooled down. But that could have left me stranded when it was absolutely necessary to get the engine started pronto.  So I bit the $$ bullet and had the repair shop replace the starter. No problems since, hot or cold.  I also want to mention that the mechanic thought the solenoid was the main culprit, but he also said the starter motor itself showed quite a bit of deterioration as well.

Interestingly, I purchased a 2002 EuroVan MV in April (it has a similar swing up table and rear seating arrangement that I like so much in my Carat) and what went haywire last month? Ironically, the ignition switch. It's failure was evidenced by warning tones and warning lights for a brake system problem, as well as making the headlights inoperable (?). Strangely, nothing else was affected, including the ability to start the engine and operate the brakes as normal.

Your work-around certainly makes perfect sense to me, but I'd bet your wife would be crazy thankful to not have to scout out inclined parking spots! :-)  Good luck, Gabby!

David S.
Oklahoma City

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Gabriel Hourtouat
Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2014 2:55 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Starting system quirk - diagnosis help needed

Hi David,
Did you resolve the quirky starter?

(I am experiencing the same quirkiness on my manual transmission 86 Westy.
My work-around is to park  on a hill -- just in case -- or revert to the push-run-jump-and-bump-start when no hills are available.  Although the kids think this method is preferable to simply turning the key, it leaves my 98 lb, non-mechanical wife at a loss; therefore, I should get pro-active and fix this, right?)

Thanks,
Gabby