Finn,
So were you low on fuel?  Sometimes if you run rel low you suck a lot of crud into the filter...........it could be jammed up.

Now power wise with the starter, how do your headlights look?  Are they dim or normal, and when you turn the key do they go out?    

You should be able to put the car in neutral, crawl under the car with a long box end wrench (my tool of choice) and ground it between the post where the battery cable comes in, and the terminal where the ignition wire comes in.  You will see a spark or two and hear the starter whir into action if it is an ignition switch issue. If it whirs, go ahead and turn the key on, and do it again and your car will start.  

Your gas leak must be the fuel return.  There should be a rubber hose that attaches to a plastic line, and most likely that is the culprit.

----- Original Message -----
From: Douglas Ford
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 8:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Help!

Finn,
I'm thinkin' maybe the ignition switch...had one go like that!
It's the only component I can think of that would affect both the
ignition (spark) and the seemingly tired starter, just an opinion.
Good hunting,
Doug