I had a starter that was not engaging properly. It was the nothing
syndrome. I cleaned residue from the plunger in the solenoid and that was
four years ago, its still working.

Don't know if this would help because I missed the year model on your
Vanagon but I have a good Automatic Tranny started off an air cooled 82
for $35.00 + UPS of about $10.00

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia
On Wed, 22 Aug 2001 07:35:59 -0700 Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
writes:
> I make no claims to be an expert on either issue, but have some
> knowledge.
>
> I was told that there are rubber (?) seals inside the tranny that,
> with age,
> get hard and don't seal as swell a they did when new.  It takes some
> time
> for pressure to build up inside and hence, a bit of a delay dropping
> into
> drive or reverse or shifting.  This can apparently be remedied
> (temporarily)
> with one of several products which can be purchased at your FLAPS.
> The
> products all work by rejuvenating the seals a bit.
>
> So far as your sticky starter,  There are others who can give more
> complete
> information, but you are dealing with a sticky solenoid.  It'll get
> better
> and worse, but you'll eventually need to replace it, too.  I'm not
> sure if
> there is a workaround for the situation or not.
>
> Karl Wolz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Timothy Lee Harrison" <tim@HARRISONLAND.CO.UK>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 1:38 AM
> Subject: Delays: auto transmission and starter motor
>
>
> > A few days ago, there was a post from M. Burha about the automatic
> transmission
> > hesitating before taking up drive.
> >
> > There doesn't seem to have been much response, but I was wondering
> > if any listees have had any experience of this and what could be
> causing
> it.
> >
> > In particular,  on a cold start the engine  starts and runs OK,
> but
> > movement in either
> > forward or reverse drive is ever soooooo slow! I only recently
> changed
> > transmission
> > fluid, but the trans works pervectly once it's been "revved" for
> about 30
> > secs or so.
> >
> > Is this a problem that is likely to get worse (I've not had my bus
> for
> > long) or will it just
> > sit there and be one of those little idiosyncracies that I'll get
> used to?
> >
> > On another  topic, my starter motor does something similar: on a
> cold day,
> > I turn the key
> > and .... nothing. Lights come on, but no response whatsoever.
> Then, out of
> > the blue,
> > the darned thing turns the engine and starts. Starts every time,
> without
> > fail (or at least it
> > has up to now!), but there's often quite a delay between turning
> the key
> > and the starter
> > jumping into action.
> >
> > Again, is this likely to get worse, or just another idiosyncracy?
> Anyone
> > know what causes
> > behaviour?
> >
> > Tim (H) from the  sunny UK
> >

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