I've also seen this sort of thing with "sticky" solenoids (though not first
hand on a Vanagon)

----- Original Message -----
From: "jhlauterbach" <jhlauterbach@email.msn.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: Starter problem?

> Have tyou checked the neutral/start switch; a good quality rebuilt starter
> should be w/o problems.
>
> John Lauterbach
> Macon, GA
> '84 DL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ken Nelson" <bm30@uswest.net>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 1:19 PM
> Subject: Re: Starter problem?
>
>
> > Most of the time this is due to worn brushes in the starter. The quick
fix
> > is to replace the starter. The cheap fix is to take the started out and
> > rebuild it.
> > Ken Nelson
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Schaper" <JSchaper@schsa.org>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 9:50 AM
> > Subject: Starter problem?
> >
> >
> > > Due to some intermittent problems with my 85 vanagon when starting, I
> > > replaced the battery and starter, but a new problem has arisen.  In
> order
> > to
> > > start the van, someone must sit inside and turn the key while I crawl
> > under
> > > the car and hit the starter with a screwdriver.  Is this a bad
starter,
> > > solenoid, short, or what?
> > >