Sounds like the starter motor.

----- Original Message -----
From: John Schaper <JSchaper@SCHSA.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 1:18 AM
Subject: Starter or Solenoid?

> My 85 van won't start.  Thought it might be the battery, so I charged it,
> checked the voltage at upper 13's and reinstalled.  Still won't start.
The
> symptom is a grinding noise; no clicks--just grinding.  Based on these
> symptoms, is it probably the starter or the solenoid?