BTDT many times.  Usually the solenoid is not the problem.  Do the
relay.  If the starter brushes are bad enough it will need rebuilding.
The ground path for the solenoid is thru the starter circuit.

Larry A.

Skip Emmert-Keaton wrote:
> My '80 Westy does the same thing.  Finally caught it for certain
> once...wouldn't turn the starter, then I rapped on the solenoid and it
> started.  How do you clean and relube a starter solenoid?  The starter is
> about six months old.  If cleaning the solenoid doesn't fix my problem, can
> just the solenoid be replaced or do I have to replace the starter, too?
>
>
> Thanks for any help,
>
> Skip Emmert-Keaton
> 1980 Westy <unnamed>
>
> Date:    Wed, 21 Jan 2004 19:01:03 -0800
> From:    Peter Arnautoff <blueydsoul@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Syncro sporadic starting
>
> Does anybody else have this problem?  My '87 Vanagon Syncro sometimes =
> doesn't start.  By that I mean that I'll turn the key, hear the fuel =
> pump being primed, and turn the key to start the engine and nothing.  I =
> have checked the battery and it is fine.  What makes this unusual is =
> that I will come back (sometimes in a few minutes, sometimes in a few =
> days) and it will start right up.  It doesn't seem to be tied to the =
> weather. =20
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pete
>
>
>
> <snip>4.    It could be that your solenoid needs to be cleaned and relubed.
>
> Mike
> Houlton, Maine
> '84 GL 7 pass
> '85 GL Westy</snip>
>