Here's a new one!
About 2 weeks ago while starting my van in the morning I turned the key
and the starter engaged but the engine didn't
light right up so I turned the key back with the intent to try again.
However instead of the expected silence with the key in the off position
I heard a loud humming sound coming from the engine compartment.   I
tried turning the ignition key back to the start position but nothing
happened and the humming continued.   I jumped out and went back to
throw open the back
hatch and engine cover and have a look but about that time the humming
stopped.   I then got back in the front and  tried
the ignition switch again and the engine started right up as usual.

I thought it might be a one time anomaly but then a couple days ago the
same thing occurred when I came out of a store
in town.   I immediately jumped out and ran back to have a look.   I got
the lid off the engine and listened carefully.
It turned out to be the starter motor spinning.   I put my hand on it
and could feel the thing spinning away.   It was not engaged
or grinding ;  just spinning away.   It continued for maybe 2 or 3
minutes and I was thinking about disconnecting the battery  when again
it stopped and I was able to start the engine and go on my way.

My question is :
Does the power to the starter motor come entirely through the ignition
switch thereby indicating my switch is bad?
Or, is there a source of power to the starter motor independant of the
ignition switch which may indicate an
intermittent sticking contact.   (note that the solenoid was not engaged
during this phenomenon)

Thanks,
          John McLean   87   Vanagon  GL