This same thing is happening in my 86 cabrio.  Drove it to the flaps, put it
on the battery/alt tester, and they said I had a short somewhere.

Could there be a way to test the load reduction relay?

Adam Puzerewski
81 westy
74 beetle
86 cabrio
Vanagon Partsmobiles
----- Original Message -----
From: "MOST,DAVID" <most@UCLA.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] no start

> I remember this topic coming up a few years ago, and though I don't know
> the solution, you may not have a battery problem.  When I lived in
> Colorado, on a really cold morning, I recall turning the key and having to
> wait for what seemed like a very long time before anything happened.  In
> other words, though the fuel pump started making noise, it might take
> over 5 seconds for the engine to turn over.  Sometimes, I would hold it
> for a couple of seconds more, release the key, and go through the same
> procedure a second time before anything would happen.
>
> I'm sure the someone has a technical explanation for this, but I can say
> that once it warmed up again, turning the key caused the engine to turn
> over in less than a second.
>
> Just a thought,
> David
>
> On Fri, 12 Jan 2001, Jason Willenbrock wrote:
>
> > hey all,
> > it is real cold here in the mornings in new york, and this morning was
> > really cold.  anyways, as i went out to start the van i turned the key
and
> > nothing happened.  i turned it again and nothing.  i tried once more
then
> > finally it turn over and engaged.  what would be the reason that nothing
> > happened the first few times i turned the key?  frozen starter?
battery?  i
> > don't think it is the fuel injection b/c the starter wouldn't even turn.
> > once the starter did turn the car started right up.  so, should i look
> > towards the starter?  the starter is only 2 years old.  the battery is
old
> > though, could this be the problem?  this is the second time this has
> > happened and both times after being persistant with turning the key it
would
> > finally start.  could this also be the result of some electrical
> > connections.  it might be worth noting that this is a fresh engine with
> > roughly 100 miles on it and i am still working out the bugs.
> > thanks once again for any input!
> > jason
> > 90 gl
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