Wes,
  I'm not exactly clear about the symptoms.  If the starter does not
engage and turn the engine, then you may need a relay to supply more
voltage to the solenoid.
In these cases, the starter can usually be awakened by whacking it with
a hammer while someone holds the key in the start position.

Larry A.

Wesley Pegden wrote:

> So, my van still has the same problems.  My success was a false alarm.
> It starts 1 out of 5-10 times, but never turns over slowly.  I've
> replaced the ground strap on the battery.
>
> I had the battery tested at an Autozone today (where I hope it's on
> warranty), and it checked out.  Also, keep in mind that throughout this
> whole ordeal, I've never jumped the car....
>
> Without any electrical running, I show between 13.25 and 13.5volts at
> the battery, and 13.8 or so volts at the alternator.If I add electrical,
> it can easily drop to 13 volts at the battery, or even a bit less.  The
> crimp on the alternator wire does indeed look worn, but not at all
> loose.  There are two wires going into the crimp.  What two wires are
> these?  To the starter and the battery?
>
> Is the bonding strap you're talking about here different from the ground
> cable from the transmission to the frame?  Most of this stuff looks old,
> but not actually loose.
>
> I would really appreciate people's suggestions.  When I tried grounding
> the alternator directly, it only added something like .04 volts at the
> battery, which hardly seemed worth it.
>
> Thanks!
> Wes
> '84 manual 1.9l
>
> Daniel L. Katz wrote:
>
>> wes:
>>
>> it would be reasonable to check for a voltage drop across the crimp
>> on the
>> connector at the alternator output, and also between the battery
>> posts and
>> cable clamps. check also for star washers and tight, clean, crimps and
>> connections at all grounds.
>>
>> the wire at the alternator output may a bit short on an '84, and the
>> resulting stress and strain can loosen the crimp. fix could be a new
>> connector crimped and soldered onto #10 wire, then a big wire nut and 3m
>> scotchkote to pot and make a weathertight, strain-free splice into the
>> van's wiring. likelwise, the crimps on the bonding strap that goes
>> between
>> the driver side of the engine and body (near the coil) may also degrade
>> due to stress and strain, causing a resistance, and can be repaired
>> similarly.
>>
>> sounds as if the battery has been run down pretty badly during this
>> episode, and if so, that will shorten its useful life.
>>
>> obviously, the greater the current, the greater the voltage drop
>> across a
>> given resistance, and it might be useful to experiment with various
>> loads
>> and rpms.
>>
>> dan
>>
>> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:29:55 -0500, Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> So...
>>> It seems my starting problems have been resolved... after changing the
>>> alternator and letting the battery get a good charge.  I'm still
>>> wondering about changing the wire between the alternator and the
>>> battery, to avoid future problems like this.  My voltage at the
>>> alternator is 14.0 volts, and at the battery is 13.25.  What do people
>>> think?
>>>
>>> Wesley Alden Pegden wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi guys,
>>>> I'm having frustrating electrical (I think) problems.
>>>>
>>>> First, my van ('84 manual) wouldn't start.  Headlights would come on
>>>>
>> (battery okay) and they would dim when I turned the ignition (so
>> power was
>> getting to the starter), but it wouldn't turn.  I heard a click when I
>> would turn the key, and again when I would release it.
>>
>>>> I ordered a rebuilt starter, and finally got around to installing it
>>>>
>> today.  It started twice in a row, so I thought it was okay, but then
>> the
>> third time it didn't, and I realized I was back where I started.  It
>> starts maybe one out of 5 times, and when it starts, it starts right
>> away.
>>
>>>> The battery is right at 12.0 volts with the car off.  With the key
>>>>
>> turned all the way (but when it fails to start) it drops to 11.4.  If it
>> starts, it sits at 11.6.  So now I figure maybe my alternator is bad.  I
>> had an extra alternator, so I put it in, but absolutely nothing has
>> changed, and so  now I'm stumped.
>>
>>>> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
>>>>
>>>> -Wes
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>