Mathieu Bertrand wrote:
>
> Hello, my 86 vanagon won't start on cold morning ( -20 celcius). The
> starter doesn't turn at all. Sometimes, if try and try again, out of
> the blue, it turns at a good speed. I've open the starter and changed
> the big wire that goes from the solenoid the stator. Seems to help but
> didn't solve the problem. The problem probably comes from the ignition
> switch or the wires. I've heard about hard start relay bosch kit. I'm
> wondering if someone know how those work, I maybe considering making a
> kit myself.
>
> Mathieu Bertrand
> 86 weekender
> Qu�bec
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Rejoignez le plus grand service de messagerie au monde avec MSN
> Hotmail. Cliquez ici

The circuit from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid was poorly
designed and supplies just enough current to activate the solenoid.  As
things age and deteriorate the resistance increases in various places
and the solenoid sometimes does not respond.  Usually this is first
evident after 2 hours on the highway when the starter and solenoid are
hot.  Tapping the solenoid with a wrench or hammer while someone holds
the key in the start position generally gets you going. BTDT on my 76,
80, & 84.
  More substantial current can be supplied to the solenoid by connecting
the large post with the battery cable (on the solenoid) to the smaller
push-on terminal that normally receives the signal from the ignition
switch.  This is what you want the relay to do.  You want a relay that
can handle about 30 or 40 amps designed to be activated by 12V.  Connect
the wire from the ignition switch to one of the coil terminals on the
relay and complete the circuit by connecting the other one to ground.
Mounting the relay under the back seat puts it reasonably close to the
starter and keeps it out of the weather.
  I understand that the kit from Bus Depot comes with instructions and
it sounds like a reasonable approach if you are uncertain about the
procedure or finding the proper relay.

Good luck,
Larry A.