Check if engine is turning (by hand). Check the grounding strap between 
transmission and chassis, contact surfaces where strap connects (13mm bolt, 
weaved copper). Sometimes they are too corroded to allow enough electricity 
to the engine. This can also happen to the positive connections at the 
starter. If engine turns, power is okay and all connections are okay (plus 
and minus) then it's the starter.

Bj�rn

Date:    Thu, 6 Oct 2005 17:32:05 -0600
From:    Martin Jagersand <jag@CS.UALBERTA.CA>
Since the starter isn't cranking the engine first
check if the starter gets full voltage and current.

Turn on the cabin light.
Attempt to start.
If cabin light dims noticably starter is getting some current.
If only little dimming (ie less than when pre-glowing the glow plugs),
then the solenoid in the starter doesn't close the main circuit to
power the starter motor.
If light goes completely dark you may have a bad connection
between the starter and battery, or similar problem.

I don't know what the "bang" might be, but it's a good idea to rule out
starter problems before proceeding.

People on the vanagon and/or diesel mailing lists may have more
tips.

Halsingar,
Martin

    From:        =?iso-8859-1?Q?Anders_Ravn=E5s?= <Anders_Ravnaas@hotmail.com>
    Date:        Thu, 6 Oct 2005 22:50:42 +0200
    Thread-Index: AcXKt5ozlaiJ2l6GSVq2J8Vk71PzMQ==

    Hello=20

    =20

    I was wondering if I could ask you a question?

    My radiator broke down here the other day, and when it did I Shut it =
    down
    immediately. The engine didn=92t overheat or anything. I got towed back =
    to my
    garage, and got a new radiator fitted. Once everything was in place, and =
    I
    was about to start up, it started fine but then stopped and I could hear
    some sort of a bang back from the motor room. It wasn=92t a mechanical =
    noise,
    it was more like something in the exhaust pipe or something, like an
    explosion. The engine went dead, and it didn=92t want to start again. =
    After
    this the fuse was gone on number 7 in the fuse box, and when I turn the  =
    key
    all I can hear is a tick from the starting solenoid or something. The
    starter won=92t turn the engine around. I=92ve checked the battery but =
    that=92s
    alright. There=92s plenty of power.The engine is a 1.6 turbo diesel. I =
    was
    then wondering if you could have any idea of what the problem could be?

    =20

    Regards

    =20

    Anders Ravnaas

    =20

Bj�rn Ratjen
Cobble Hill, B.C.

2004 Jetta TDI Wagon (mine)
1995 Passat TD Wagon (hers)
1991 Jetta TD (daughter's)
1987 Vanagon Syncro est alia (self camperized, TDI)
1986 Jetta TD (daughter's)
1982 Westy Vanagon Turbo Diesel (son's)
1978 VW Bulli (self camperized)
1970 VW Beetle (daughter's)