The starting problem is probably due to the neutral-reverse-safe switch at the
base of the gear selector lever. If you pull the carpet up
slightly around the gear selector housing, you will see 2 screws going into the
floor and 2 screws going into the forward "bulkhead".
Remove these screws and pull the housing up towards the gear selector handle. At
 the base, you will see a small box with 3 (I think)
metal contacts on the side towards the lever and wires coming out of the other
side. What happened to mine, because a portion of
the staring current goes through this switch, a bit of the plastic right next to
 one of the contacts melts and blocks that contact. try cleaning
the side of this switch. Be careful though as this switch also controls your
reverse lights. If the switch is out of position at all when you
reinstall it, you might not have reverse lights. Test the reverse lights before
you screw the selector cover back on.

Volks, Please correct me if I've missed or misreported anything.

Sean B.
'90 V'gon, "Happy Bus"