Remove the starter, clean the solenoid.
The plungers are a tight fit and sometimes just a little rust or dirt will
cause it to bind up.
Also squeeze the push on connectors tight to the spade on the solenoid.
Check your ground at the transmission to body.
You can't rule out age it could be that you've just got the  useful life out
of your starter.

Stan Wilder
More Power with Performance Coatings
http://www.engineceramics.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
Steve Shane
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 1:36 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Stuck Solenoid????

Greetings all, today my van would not turn over even though it has PLENTY of
power. My mechanic is suggesting a stuck Solenoid and swapping out a starter
will fix it, can I get your thoughts?

Symptoms: often there is a delay from turning the ignition switch to when
the engine begins to turn over there is always plenty of power, but one or
two seconds goes by before the engine begins to turn.

Lately it has gotten worse to the point of the van not starting at all.

Battery is new, alternator is new, the van is an 87 Westy.
Thanks all!!!
- Steve

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