Sheesh,

You want quick results--get a new battery if yours is more than four
years old!  Have it towed to Sears and get a DieHard installed.  Then do
all the checks Doktor Tim recommends.

Extreme cold + weak battery + other age problems = no start and other
weird electrical problems.

I recommend Sears because they will test your battery and alternator,
and they will have the right battery.  Then take your Vanagon to a
specialist for a thorough inspection of the wires, etc.

Good luck, and let us know how you do.

Stuart