Mine has been doing the same thing recently. I just changed out the ignition
switch but the problem is still there. Eventually, if I turn the key enough,
it starts. The one time it didn't, the morning after an 8 hour trip, I had
to tap the starter and solenoid with a hammer. Then it fired right up.
Probably time to rebuild the starter. For now, I try to park on hills.:>)

Tim Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Steve Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 3:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: HELP!! Dead starter? Or selonoid? Or?

Hey Listies:

Upon trying to start the van this morning: nothing. The usual two fuel pump
noises, then a humming noise very similar whenever I hold the key in the
start position. I'll check electrical connections, but otherwise I don't
know to know what's broken. Starter? Selonoid? Something else? How can I
figure out what died and know what part to buy?

Greatly appreciated!!

Steve