Barry,

If anything the oil should help!  Could be a ignition switch, bad ground
strap on the transmission, or a bad starter for starters! HAHA Opps, it's
not Friday! To narrow things a bit, rig a bulb between the small wire on the
starter the finds it's way to the ignition switch and next time it fails see
if the bulb lights with the key in the start position. If it does then your
problem is in the rear by the starter. (ground strap or starter). If it does
not then the problem is between the ignition switch and the end of the wire
at the starter. Best case is the switch, their cheap, worst case starter.

Hope this helps.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Armitage" <armitage.1@OSU.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 10:10 AM
Subject: Intermittent Starting problem

> I have an 89 Syncro GL with 133K.  Original engine.  It is in pretty good
> shape, though I have a small leak from the rear main seal.  Usually leaves
> a few drops anywhere I stop, and it tainly keep the rear underside of the
> vehicle from rusting.
> The only time I really notice this is when I take a long freeway trip the
> misting oil will leave a slight film on the rear hatch and bumper.
>
> Now there may be no connection in my problem, but on my last long trip I
> stopped at a rest stop and the car wouldn't start -- lights okay, no
> clicking, no turnover of the starter or the engine.  I push started it and
> it was okay, and I finished the trip.  For the next few days it would do
> the same thing almost everytime I tried to start it (I learned to park on
a
> hill).  Then after a few days the problem went away and the van has been
> starting fine, everytime for the past month.
>
> Is there a chance that the blowing/misting oil is disrupting a connection
> to the solenoid or starter?  Is there a likely place I should check and
> clean if this happens again?
>
> Barry Armitage
> Occasional Syncro
> Barry Armitage
> Business Development Manager
> Center for Industrial Sensors and Measurements -- An NSF Center
> Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
> College of Engineering
> 291 Watts Hall
> 2041 College Road
> Columbus, Ohio  43210-1178
> 614-292-7416
> 614-688-4949 (fax)
> armitage.1@osu.edu
> www.cism.ohio-state.edu
>