After encountering the same problems, my mechanic = found that the neutral start switch was not making good contact. I had him = bypass it since I am the only driver of the van. One of these days I will = get it fixed as same assembly also appears to control backup = lights.

----- Original Message -----

From: W. = Silva

Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 = 1:45 PM

Subject: Re: Starting = Problem

Ed-I will be curious to see the = Listees responses. We have had the same problem going on two years now, = ours is an '85 and also an automatic which leads me to wonder if it might be = some sort of a a neutral safety switch problem-I assume they have them. We = are the second owners so I don't know if this is the original starter or = not. It does seem to get worse in very hot weather and after driving in hot weather shutting down and restarting before the = engine has a chance to cool down. The grounds have been checked, the = battery is fairly new and there is no other obvious reason for this to happen = other than something internal to the starter.

Wendy & John
Cape Cod, = MA

'85 Westy, = "S-CAPE"
'98 Passat