Yea you're right --- I didn't catch that it was actually turning. The
starters on the Bay Windows had a tendency to wear out the bushing at the
bottom end and when hot were prone to stick --- I suppose I could've
replaced the starter but I already 'Had a Hammer'.  :-)

Cheers,
Doug

On 4/13/07, Sam Ervin <erv504@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've only ever used the 'whack the solenoid' trick when you hear a 'click,
> click' sound from the starter...
> if the starter is actually turning, then i dont think whacking it will do
> anything at all, but maybe make you feel better...
> Think the whacking only helps if the solenoid is sticky and wont engage...
> Sounds more like a low battery or something
> else electrical to me...
>
> My humble thoughts..
>
> Cheers, Sam.
> '87 Westy
>
>
>
> > Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:22:57 -0400> From: doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Time to hammer the starter/solenoid????> To:
> vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > A few whacks with a ball peen hammer used to
> do the trick for my '78. I used> to carry the hammer beside the driver seat
> --- if the van wouldn't start I> could grab the hammer, slip under the van,
> do the relevant whacking and be> on the road in about a minute. But then, I
> had lots of practice :-)> > Cheers,> Doug> > > On 4/12/07, Malcolm Stebbins
> <mwstebbins@yahoo.com> wrote:> >> > Went to start up the van for a
> perspective buyer and it tried to turn> > over, but not much happened.> >
> Sounded like the starter was trying to do it's job, just not much UMPH!> >>
> > THe van has not been run since about October 06, but I did start it up
> (no> > driving) once or twice> > during the winter (on nice days).> >> > My
> wife said that things were turning over very slowly in the engine> >
> compartment, but when she> > tried the key and I watched, nothing turned,
> but items were trying to turn> > over.> >> > I have a full 110 V battery
> charger (on full power) to the battery (during> > start efforts) so I> >
> assume that the battery is giving full charge.> >> > I can turn the engine
> over by hand (using the belts) so the engine is NOT> > stuck.> >> > I've
> heart of hammering on the solenoid or the starter, Does one use a> > hard
> hammer?? or a rubber mallet????> >> >> >> >> >
> ____________________________________________________________________________________>
> > We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love> > (and love to hate):
> Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.> > http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265>
> >> > > > --> http://www.dougalcock.com

--
http://www.dougalcock.com