Depending on how much cranking you have done with the starter it could be the starter.  I've burned the copper wire from the solenoid to the starter before so it acted like a dead battery.

Kevin
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Date:    Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:39:30 -0700
From:    Neil Crawford <vidublu@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: '81.5 Diesel 1.6, Won't start

Hi volks,

I've got a battery that's overdue and for a couple weeks now the engine has
had a difficult time starting.  After a few tries, it'd be dead.  Thought it
was just the battery.  I'd boost with me Saab and it'd start right up.  Now,
I don't think so.  Even with a boost she doesn't start.  Have heard a single
injector can prevent starting.  The PO said, and the evidence supports, it's
had the alternator rebuilt.  I think it may need a 'valve job'.

Any ideas where I should begin to troubleshoot?

Ahoy.

--
Neil Crawford
'82 Diesel Westy
Me other car is Swedish

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End of vanagon Digest - 31 Mar 2008 - Special issue (#2008-373)
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