Aled,

rather than dicking around with whacking the starter or other kludges, you
ought to take the bugger out and have it looked at by a good car electrics
shop. Maybe just a matter of a bad solenoid or poor connections but after 15
years of starting it probably needs R&R.

Not too difficult a removal job.

Alistair

albell@uvic.ca
'82 Westy, diesel=>I4 gas

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on 16/10/01 4:06 PM, Aled at aledw@BTINTERNET.COM wrote:

> I've an '86 1.6D HighTop Transporter (UK) and today the starter won't turn
> on the first twist of the key, following glow plug warm up. After subsequent
> rattling of the gear shift and dumping the clutch, rolling the van forward
> an inch (I'll try anything once...) it started as if nothing was amiss. It
> did the same this afternoon while leaving work. I've noticed that the
> starter has been getting more sluggish to engage and turn lately, though
> plenty powerful enough to crank the engine.
>
> What's the verdict? Can this starter motor be salvaged or shall I find
> another one?
> It looks like I'll have to go to work in the GTi tomorrow, how boring...
>
> Aled
>