hey good luck at the tables or slots or whatever. 
Sorry ..can't make it this tim.e 

all right ..progress. 
if it went from 'dead' to working with a smack ..or whack ..
that , so far, always indicates a dying starter, to me. 
So usually for me ..
if ya whack it and that makes it work one more time ..it's a bad starter. 
though I would still consider other things too. 

if it's cranking weakly, what is the battery voltage ? ...like is it fully charged up ? .
Would be nice to just put a 10 amp batt charger on the batt for a while, then try.

replacing the main battery cable is not 'that possible' and isn't likely to be a problem ..
the ends of it yes, but not the main cable itself. 
and check the trans ground cable for sure. 

I also go a bit by what the starter itself visually looks like.,
If it looks like the orignal german one and fried and tired and rusted or whatever..
that's a clue.
if it looks like a cheap rebuilt recent one ..that's a clue. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Sullivan 
  To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 3:00 PM
  Subject: Re: Starter Gone?

  Good news???? I got under the van and smaked it with my hi-lift adapter and tried the key and the starter cranked over(weekely).  Stopped and came in to email.....What do ya'll think?  I will replace the main cable and the ground strap, but does this mean the starter is going out?  Anybody got one?  Thanks guys and gals.  Gonna leave it on the ramps and head to Louisiana in the AM to the casino for a couple of days.  If anyone is is Lake Charles, LA Sunday or Monday ...ring me. 210-482-0000.Maybe I can win enough $$ fo a new starter. hehehe
  Michael in San Antonio
  91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'