You can just jumper the neutral safety switch to see if its dead.

When you say new starter switch do you mean new ignition switch?

On Jan 16, 2008 2:56 PM, TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@gmail.com> wrote:

> All,
>  I've been hunting a mysterious starter problem and I need your help.
>  It's
> crunch time and I can't tolerate this problem anymore.  It's an 87 Wolfie
> GL
> Automatic.  The starter slowly stopped engaging after key rotation.
>  Slowly
> as in more frequently over a 2-3 month period until it finally quit
> engaging.  So, being the vw geek I am, I dove underneath with metal in
> hand
> to jump the contacts.  I ordered a replacement switch, put it in, it just
> barely hesitated but started like normal otherwise.  I figured it had been
> so long since it did that correctly, I must not have noticed the delay.
> Wrong answer-there is no discernable delay.  It just quit working 2-3 days
> later.  It starts just fine each and every time I jump the terminals on
> the
> solenoid.  Every once in a while it will rotate and start but only after a
> 3-6 second delay.  After a previous post to the group, I checked a few
> items
> but no luck.  I've wiggled the gear selector (and even ran it though the
> entire range) while holding the key in the start position.  I've jiggled
> the
> key.  No change from either of those.  Is there a way to bypass the
> neutral
> safety switch for testing.  I'm not near my tools currently (long story)
> or
> I'd have the console around the selector in pieces already.  Can ANYONE
> think of ANYTHING else that might be doing this?  I'm pretty sure that if
> the start rotates when I jump it, it's 99% good.  New starter switch bad?
> Possible, but not likely.  Especially since it has the exact same
> symptons with the old switch.  Someone put me out of my misery.
>
> Thanks,
>
> TJ
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/