You had me at inexpensive!  So far no more problems, that doesn't mean an ignition switch won't be on my next parts order though!  At least I know how to troubleshoot my way if it happens again.  We drove about 800 miles the past two days with my wife driving half the time and our 5 year old bossing us.  Didn't use a drop of oil or coolant which I attribute to this list and the archives!  

I'll throw this out there on friday but I need something cool to do with a kid on southeast va or northwest nc on a Monday.

Peace and thank you!  

> Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:52:04 -0700
> From: scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM
> Subject: Re: Start problems need help on the road
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I thought that 'feels like need to turn key further than usual' was a
> significant hint.
> 
> and ....that points to the electrical part of the ignition switch.
> that part is -
> 
>  1. small, light, and fairly inexpensive, therefore one should always carry
> a spare.
> 
> 2. they are underbuilt and are a common failure item.
> 
> 3. it's very easy to remove the lower steering column cover, pull the
> connector plug of the ignition switch  that's currently in use, and plug
> your spare onto that connector plug, then operate the new switch with a
> screwdriver, until you can find time to remove the steering wheel and
> replace the part correctly.
> 
> A remote starter switch is an extremely useful tool. I don't even drive my
> vans in town without my bag of electrical testing stuff, which includes a
> Remote Starter Switch.
>  - such a useful tool for self-rescue and diagnosing failure issues ..
>   and these  are 25 year old 'just Volkswagens'..... ... super important
> simple tool to always have on board.
> 
> I hope that's it,  and it's a very easy, and common fix.
> 
> Actually ..come to think of it ..since this is such a common failure item .
> as long as we can get a decent quality ignition switch, they should just be
> replaced every 10 years or 100,000 miles.   It's a very common, and simple,
> failure item.
> 
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Rowsell" <86westy@GEOEXPLOITS.ORG>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Start problems need help on the road
> 
> 
> > Go-Westy has a good "no-crank" troubleshooting article...
> > See http://gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=924
> > Sometimes, the spade connector going to the #50 terminal on the starter
> > wears loose. If it won't crank, "wiggling" this connector can help. I
> > could
> > reach mine through the engine hatch...
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 10:01 AM, Bill Shawley
> > <easywind1975@hotmail.com>wrote:
> >
> >> Well 400 miles from and I go to start van (86 2wd 2.1) and it doesn't
> >> turn
> >> over, just a click on the relays.  I try multiple times and nothing.  I
> >> decide push start to get going and stop at a shop in Columbia sc, wife
> >> gets
> >> into drivers seat and I'm buckling the kid in
> >> I tell her to try to start it and voila it starts.  She said she had to
> >> turn the key what seemed to be really far.
> >>
> >> We are on the road but this makes every stop nerve wracking now.  Is
> >> there
> >> a troubleshooting procedure for the switch and is there a way to hotwire
> >> if
> >> it gets to that.  I'd hit the archives but it is really difficult from a
> >> phone.  We are en route to live oak fl,  right now we are on I 77 in
> >> south
> >> Carolina (9am).   Thanks for any and all help.
> >>
> >>
> >> Ryan
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone