re
"don't want to spend allot of time trying figure out if a 27 year old
starter is having issues."

seems it's due anyway if you really believe it is actually 27 years old.

re
"Should I just start by cleaning the connections to the soleniod'

That implies that you havn't even looked.

There is nothing quite like  a careful visual inspection for a first step.
Doesn't take a whole lotta time or energy ...'visual inspection' ...

I'm being facetous ...but, believe it or not, that is the normal and best
first step in any automotive diagnostic process....you look at things.

----- Original Message -----
From: "B Feddish" <uprightbassghost@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:22 PM
Subject: No start questions

Keeping up with my vans tradition of breaking down in my own driveway after
another trip...

Over the past few years the starter would take a second or two to engage
after turning the key.  Well we know where thats leading.  When I turned the
key to go to the store nothing happened.  I pushed started it and was on my
way. When I returned home it started fine. OK, what to check? Should I just
start by cleaning the connections to the soleniod or should I just go ahead
and get a new starter and soleniod at the BD tomoorow and put it i? I don't
want to just go and throw parts at the problem but I also don't want to
spend allot of time trying figure out if a 27 year old starter is having
issues.

Thoughts?  Looks like I'll have to work from home tommorow so I can spend
the morning trying to diagnose this.

Thanks,
Bryan                                     =