Terrry, Does the solenoid pull in. Is there a klunk. If not it is going to
be the old sticky solenoid problem. Tapping the side of the solenoid while
somebody turns the key may solve the problem.

----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Kay <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2000 3:35 PM
Subject: Bizzare starter problems.

> I'm at wits end with this problem.
> Today, after calling on a client, I went to start my 85 GL, and nothing.
> Had juice to everything in the van, so the battery wasn't dead.
> Thought it might be the neutral saftey switch, so I loosened the console
> around the shift lever (automatic), hooked the two ignition wires
> together, hit the key, nothing.  Put the wires back where they belonged,
> left the ignition on, crawled under the van, jumped the starter, and
> boom she started.
> When I got to work,I got my circuit tester and everything is hot, at the
> saftey switch when I hit the key to start, and I had a friend of mine
> hold the key in the start position and the starter has juice to the
> solinoid,actuater pole. But it still won't start, unless I jump the two
> poles.
> Oh yea , the starter is new, two weeks ago, and the battery checks out
> ok.
> Any ideas, of what I'm overlooking?
> Thanks,
> Terry