Mine occasionally won't start in much the same way.  That's why I keep a
hammer with me at all times to do a little tap on the starter, which always
makes her turn.
It's not much fun in places like Breckenridge, CO in the middle of winter in
a parking lot after a concert at 1 AM, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta
do!

Joe T.
'85 GL 'bessie'

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Pedersen, Michael" <MRPEDERS@pacifica-papers.com>
Reply-To: "Pedersen, Michael" <MRPEDERS@pacifica-papers.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: [Syncro] The Syncro project arrives...(won't start)
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 09:13:23 -0700

 > Date:    Tue, 22 May 2001 11:39:44 -0600
 > From:    Keith Adams <keith_adams@transcanada.com>
 > Subject: Re: [Syncro] The Syncro project arrives...

 >
 > Now my van won't start.  No click of the solenoid, no engaging of the
 > starter, no dimming of the lights, nuttin' (battery is still strong).
 > Could it be the ignition switch?  the fuel pump and all kicks in - it
 > just doesn't seem to make it to the "start" part of the ignition
 > switch.  Wierd.
 >
 > Hope everyone had a good weekend.
 > Keith

Whoa... had this same exact thing happen to me this weekend. Stupidly enough
I had unpacked my tools to fit in a portable barbecue, and forgot them in my
carport. We were parked at a general store on Texada Island, right in front
of a family of ice cream eating Francophones.  Figured that either the
solenoid or the ignition switch was shot, but heard it click once.  My
battery was good. Wiggled the key in all sorts of ways, nothing.  Went on
the idea that the solenoid somehow wasn't getting enough juice.  Hooked up
my jumper cables from the engine block to the negative terminal of the
battery to increase the ground... Zoots Alor!  It worked...  wish I had paid
attention in French class more...the French seemed pretty impressed...Got
home and cleaned the solenoid contacts and the grounding strap, both looked
pretty rough.  No problems since, fingers crossed.

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