I just went thru this big ordeal here in nevada. Here is what I have done so
far.

cleaned both ground contacts. the ground wire from the battery and the
ground between the trans and body. then I replaced the ignition switch.
 about $15 ). this has helped the situation but if I leave it for a few days
then I need to jump it with my secondary battery.

at this point I am going to have the battery charged. I'm thinking that my
interstate battery( 550 cold cranking amps is not enough for the cold )
Interstate also makes a 650 cca model.

I don't think its my starter but I have read that the lube in a starter can
get stiff and be hard to turn over. another recommendation was to clean the
contacts on the starter solenoid.

I read another post that said that 650 cca is a minimum for a van in cold
environment..... if not more cca.....

and finally somewhere I think  at bus-boys.com I have seen a inexpensive
ignition bypass kit that is supposed to direct more current straight thru to
the starter motor. I thought it was 10 to $15.

I suppose I could replace the starter but at about ~$200 I don't want to do
that unless I have to.

 hope that helps. its frustrating for sure.

-----Original Message-----
From: Greenamyer, William L <William.Greenamyer@WEST.BOEING.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, January 12, 2001 8:00 AM
Subject: starter/ignition weird

>I have a weird problem that the Van just started going.  The first time you
>try to start the engine, you hear the fuel pump but no starter.  Turn the
>key off and then try to start a second time and the starter works.  This
>happens every time now.
>
>William
>

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