Yes, you can rig up an external relay. if the problem is a lack of voltage getting to the solenoid.
Sometimes the problem is just a sticky solenoid - you can tell if this is the problem if you can get the starter to work after you whack the solenoid with a small hammer or screwdriver.

My Vanagon had this problem when I first got it - but strangely enough it went away after I had whacked on the solenoid a couple of times. I had a '71 van with the same problem that was not fixed until I replaced the starter. (Replacing the solenoid alone was more expensive than just putting in a rebuilt starter.)

Todd
'88 Westy

'80 Westy Pokey wrote:

> Ken Wilford did this same thing for me once when I drove down to NJ (Thanks again Ken). At the time he mentioned that there was a Solenoid Fix available to avoid this problem but he didn't elaborate. Anyone know about this?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> On Wed, 13 June 2001, Don Oldenburg wrote:
>
> >
> >    A few years ago, before my '73 Bus left this planet, it occasionally wouldn't turn over if I'd been hardnosing the highway at high speeds (between Florida's west coast and Virginia or New England in those days) and had pulled over for gas or something.
> >    All I'd do is make sure it was out of gear and the emergency brake was on, turn the key on, crawl under the back right side behind the wheel with a long screwdriver, and jump two connections on the solenoid. Started right up nearly every time. You'll know the right connections when they spark. I got so good at it I could do it at night without a flashlight.
> >     I sure do miss that old Bus!
> >     Don Oldenburg
> >     McLean, VA
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Gronski
> '80 Westy "Pokey" - SLOPOKEY
> '87 Chevrolet Sprint - Ice Racer
> '91 Pontiac Firefly - Convertable
> www.vanagon.org & .ca
> www.gronski.com, .org, & .ca
> www.nineeleven.org & .ca