There was an article in a VW mag with the title "Dead man's starter" regarding this problem, and according to the mag, it was caused by either a poor ignition contact (as you already stated) or by the cogs not meshing properly. You can find out which it is by pushing the van backwards for a couple of yards and trying to start it again. If it starts, it's the cogs, if not then it's the ignition contact. I can't remember which mag it was in, but I'm sure that's what it said.

Andrew Lewis

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