There are a number of circuits on the Vanagon that are not fused. Starter,
starter solenoid, fuel pump and injectors and some other stuff, ignition
coil, etc. The solenoid usually pulls ~9 amps measured but you will see a
spike that will confuse most amp meters.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Larry Alofs
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Starter solenoid current

Where is this fuse?  In the circuit from the ignition switch that triggers
the relay or in the circuit from the relay to the solenoid?
  About 6 months ago I took a starter from an '84 AT and connected +12 from
a battery to the push-on terminal that activates the solenoid.  As I recall,
I measured about 37 amps.

Larry A.

On Tue, Jan 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM, William Greenamyer
<greenamyer@yahoo.com>wrote:

> I have had one of those starter relays for a long time now.  Usually has
no
> problems but it seems that the 15 amp fuse occasionally blows and I have
> not
> been able to find the problem.  No apparent shorts in the wiring
> (everything
> routed away from metal) so I am guessing it is the solenoid itself.  It
> works but the last time the fuse went, it just barely blew.  Before
> blowing,
> it apparently reduced the current which didn't help starting.  What should
> I
> be looking at for a solenoid current for a Vanagon starter (manual trans)?
>
> William
>