We suffered the hot start problem (91 Vanagon GL Westfalia).  First we had
the original Bosch starter rebuilt.  The problem came back after a couple
months.  Finally we replaced the starter with one of the Hitachi gear
reduction ones from GoWesty.  It fixed the problem.  Works great.

>>> Ed <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM> 05/01/2005 2:07:11 PM >>>

I know that there is some debate out there concerning what causes the "hot
start" problems on Vanagons and many other VWs as well. It seems the two
major schools of thought are either too much old wiring that can't carry
enough current to the solenoid, or old wiring in the starters themselves, a
viewpoint espoused buy GoWesty in their article which might steer you to one
of their hi-torque starters.

I'm not looking for more opions on what you think causes the problem, but
rather, if you had a problem starting you Vanagon only when hot, no click
from the solenoid, what did you do and did it work? This might have entailed
replacing the starter with a rebuilt, replacing with the new Hitachi,
cleaning connections, or installing the so-called hot start relay. I'd like
to know others' solutions and what worked, as I've got two Vanagons to
experiment on, but, like most, need to save as much money as possible for
the many other things that do or will need attention.

Thanks,
Ed