Gina, I've had that problem too, the VW dealer found that I had too large a
voltage drop at the starter because of bad connections, old wires etc. This
is also a known problem on Golf/ Jettas. He solved it by rewiring my starter
with a fused relay located in the engine box and running a new power cable
from the battery. It made a world of difference to starting and also
eliminated a problem of burning up starters (3 in one year). Hope this
helps.

Tony 85GL "Westfailure"

Gina wrote:

> Hi Listees,
>
> This is Not the time of the year to be putting around the engine
> compartment...its COLD here in NH and tonite my vanagon left me
> sitting...not to restart.
>
> Earlier symptoms of the day:  (yesterday she purred like a kitten in the
> middle of s now storm)
>
> *started fine in the morning @ around 15degrees F - ran rough (my usual
> surging problems)
> *started up fine at the end of day, again around 15 degrees F - ran
> rough and stalled at every intersection (yeah, my usual idle problem,
> engine cold, on a humid day too...mann i'm tired of playing with the gas
> pedal)
> *VERY STRANGE - at an intersection i was restarting (it has Always
> started right back up again) my cd player cut out momentarily when i
> cranked the engine - the reason this is strange is the fact that my
> radio is hot wired on a constant lead and continues running no matter
> what.
> *parked at post office - came back out, engine wouldn't crank...single
> turn of the crankshaft maybe - real real slow...you could call it not
> cranking at all really
> *turned key off, tried it twice more...same slow, almost no crank
> *waited about 90 seconds and tried again...slow no crank, held the key
> on anyway...then nice fast crank, she starts right up and im off.
> *get home (Yesss she brought me back to my driveway, Good girl) tried to
> restart, same no-cranking
> *noted on the way home that the headlights were not dim at all
> *further notes, oil light has been coming on lately, (dont know if this
> is relevant, just thought id mention it) steady on, not blinking, as
> soon as i take my foot off the gas pedal...am currently down half a
> quart (valve covers rusted through) but has been doing the same even
> when topped off.  At zero degrees F she sat for 4 days, i couldnt get
> her started and charging didnt help.
>
> starter? loose wire or cable? Please help me folks...this is my daily
> vehicle and getting to my wits end real fast.  I dont know my way around
> the engine well yet even in the daylight...so specifics on your
> suggestions are most appreciated.
>
> thank you Thank you
> gina
> 85 vanagon gl
> 118,985 miles