Check the starter wire connections... check the ground straps...
or it could be you have an aging starter...

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Harris" <thunderbirdelectronics@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 9:52 PM
Subject: Intermittant Start problem...

> Greetings,
>
> I own a 1981 Vanagon.  Fuel Injected Gas, 2.0, 4spd, bla bla.  Plain Jane
> model.  (that is, no camper or anything)  I hope that maybe someone can
help
> me figure this out.  In the morning, I start it.  Starts first turn of the
> key.  Runs great and drives great.  I drive somewhere (whether its driving
> it for 5 minutes or 45 minutes), I stop and leave it.  I come back,
perhaps,
> 20-30 minutes later, it doesn't want to start.  I have to keep either
> cranking on it or start then wait, start then wait.
>
> Okay, so, I do a small tune up.  This is my first VW with fuel injection
> other than my diesel rabbit which is a different breed.  I figure,
pointless
> ignition so I replace cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter,
> oil, filter, etc.  Except points and condensor since I didn't know it had
it
> up until I pulled the cap off.  So, I'm going to replace them this
weekend.
> But, I don't think points would cause this problem, would it?  It acts
like
> vapor lock, but how can it with fuel injection?  Last time I had a point
> ignition and carburated car was my 71 Camaro, so I need a little refresher
> in case I'm overlooking something.  Can it be the points causing this
> erratic problem?  Something else?  I figure if it was the points it would
be
> more consistant.  However, it really isn't that consistant.  IT's made my
> van extremely unreliable.
>
> Any ideas, I'm willing to entertain.  Thanks a million!!!
>
> Patrick Harris
> Longview, Washington
>
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