John;
        If it's a stock setup i.e. no relay modification; I would guess
the solenoid is sticking. Not enough to keep the pinion engaged but just
enough to keep power going to the starter motor.

Drive Safely & Happy Holidays
Ken Lewis    <Kernersville,NC>
86 VW crewcab;60 356B Coupe
--------------------------------------------------

On Sun, 3 Dec 2000 00:53:57 -0800 John McLean <jaymac@INTERNETCDS.COM>
writes:
>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

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