Jim-
I'm sure both are related to grease getting stiff as it gets cold.  The
starter prob. could either be stiff grease in the starter relay (on top of
the starter) slowing the movement of the electrical points making contact,
or if you do hear the starter spinning freely but not turning the engine
over, that's the grease on the starter pinion keeping it from being pushed
out.  Either of these can be remedied with a good cleaning and use of
synthetic grease.  The speedometer sticks because someone before you greased
the speedo cable a bit too much.  The grease works it's way into the speedo
and causes the mechanism to stick.  This is fixed either by a smack to the
top of the instrument cluster or by warmer weather.

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Wheaton" <jim@MUSCLEFISH.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 11:33 PM
Subject: delayed start

> After just getting my '90 Westy Multivan, I am noticing some
> typical idiosyncracies that I associate with all VWs.  Any clues
> would be appreciated to these problems:
>
> 1) When starting cold in the morning, there is a delay of 1-2
> seconds after turning the key to the start position before the
> starter makes noise, but then it starts right up (about 50 deg. F).
> For the rest of the day, it starts right away.
>
> 2) After driving a couple of miles, I looked down and noticed
> that my speedometer was not working (showing 0 mph).  After
> getting on to the highway, it started working again and has been
> working ever since.
>
> Jim
> '90 Westy MV
>