This link has instrux for  improving the electrical path for your starter.

Please heed the advice about disconnecting the battery-
since it is easy to run yourself over if you leave your wheels in gear-
or worse put a big hole in the garage door or house--haha 

ttp://www.type2.com/bartnik/relay.htm

Their site has lots of applicable tech articles that are applicable to our
Vanagons and automobiles in general.

http://www.type2.com/