This happened to me as well.  It was due to a worn out ignition key
switch - the white plastic portion.  Easy and cheap fix.

- Laurence

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of r. paul gordon
> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 11:36 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: starter won't disengage?
>
>
> Seems like my starter won't disengage from the flywheel -
> sounds like
> it's just whizzing like crazy on start up.  Can someone
> please help me
> figure out what's wrong and how to fix it?  Here's what
> happened:  On
> the way back into town I stopped to fill up the tank - '87
> van had been
> running great.  But when I restarted it it made a whizzing grinding
> noise.  I got about three blocks before the van died.  Pulled the
> starter out (it was completely fried) and took it to a shop
> to have it
> completely rebuilt.  Put the rebuilt starter in and the van started
> great the first time.  Second time and thereafter it made the same
> whizzing/grinding noise.  I haven't driven it.  Any advice would be
> appreciated.
>
> Paul Gordon
> rpaulg@qwest.n <mailto:rpaulg@qwest.net> et