Larry Alofs wrote:

>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: starter/ignition weird
> Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 22:09:53 -0600
> From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@enteract.com>
> To: EVEHART33@AOL.COM
> References: <21.5fd09f0.279112d7@aol.com>
>
> Ken Hunter wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 01/12/2001 2:19:05 PM Mountain Standard Time,
> > eddebolt@NETZERO.COM writes:
> >
> > <<  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 wa >>
> >
> > I have installed this relay (available for about $7 at your local FLAPS) on
> > my 61, 70, and 71 T2 baywindows curing my weird starting problems after
> > ruling out my starter, battery, cables, ign switch and grounds. On my 82
> > Westy  I installed the relay out of habit but noticed that the starter/ign
> > wire seemed larger (8g vs 10g) than on my older vans.Maybe VW addressed the
> > problem? If all else fails it still might do the trick.
> >
> > Ken Hunter
> > 82 Westy 1.9D
> > 84 Jetta 1.5D
>
> I have had starter/solenoid problems on a 76 Bus, 80 Vanagon, and 84 Vanagon.
> Typically after 2 hours at speed on a long trip, the starter would not activate
> at all
> when the engine was warm.  Ad hoc solutions included:
>   parking on a hill,
>   getting everyone (grandma included) out of the car to push,
>   and in the case of automatic transmission:
>      crawling under the van to tap the starter with a hammer while the spouse
> held the
>      key in the start position  or
>      connecting wires to the battery terminal and the control terminal on the
> solenoid,
>      bringing them up thru the back seat, and having a child connect them
> momentarily
>      at the crucial moment.
>
> Extensive testing both in-car and on the bench convinced me that the voltage
> delivered to the solenoid by the wire from the ignition switch was marginally
> just
> enough to activate things when everything was in good condition.  If any
> additional
> resistance was present for various reasons, ...no go.   Changing solenoids did
> not usually help for long.   I installed relays on all three cars.  The problem
> recurred on
>  the 84 however.  I finally realized that the solenoid circuit is grounded thru
> the
> windings of the starter itself and if the brushes, etc. are not making good
> contact,
> the solenoid may not operate.  A rebuilt starter solved the problem on that car,
> at
> least until I sold it.   So far no problem of this type on the 91.
>
> Larry Alofs
> Chicago