Right ..
the 'park' contacts in the switch that the starter trigger current flows through are tired after 25 years or so..
the neutral portion has fairly unused contacts. 
Makes perfect sense.
you could take the shift console apart and clean contacts in the switch ..
or install a new one.

there is a very tiny allen screw near the top of the shifter that is the key to getting started on taking the console and shifter apart.
scott
www.turbovans.com  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Annie 
  To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 8:41 PM
  Subject: Re: Neutral safety switch

  Scott -

  Thanks for responding.

  Well, what's happening is that I'll park somewhere and when I come out, try to start the van, it doesn't turn over. All the buzzers, lights, radio etc all work, you can hear the fuel pump kick in but the engine doesn't turn over . . .

  UNTIL I jiggle the shifter lever and securely lock it into neutral. THEN it will start right up.

  First, I thought it was the battery because if I jump it when it's doing this, it will start right away also. 

  But I had the battery tested and it's perfectly fine. The alternator came back as being bad, though, so I replaced that. Then it was fine for a couple of months and now it's doing it again.

  So I did some digging around and my uncle, who is a good mechanic and has helped with all the work I've done on the van since I bought it, said it could be the neutral safety switch.

  And since we figured that out, every time it's happened since, if I do as I mentioned and make sure it's securely engaged in neutral, it'll start right up.

  Annie Anderson Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
  web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com
  twitter: silverlunace facebook: anniesanderson
  Blazin' a trail where there is no path.

  On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 8:33 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

    The switch is in the shift console , right by the shifter.

    what symptom are you experiencing ?
    the only thing that is really associated with the transmission  and that switch is the back up light function. ..
    and even that is really about the shifter, not the trans itself.

    the starter trigger signal also goes through that switch.

    Scott
    www.turbovans.com
    ----- Original Message ----- From: "Annie" <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
    To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
    Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 8:10 PM
    Subject: Neutral safety switch

      Hello,

      I seem to be having some issues with my transmission and we've determined
      that it's the neutral safety switch. I have no idea how to fix it or what to
      do and would appreciate any help you fine folks can give.

      It's an 85 non-westy with an automatic transmission and a 1.9L engine.

      I've looked at the Bentley but frankly, it's just not helping me this time.

      Thanks, guys!

      *Annie Anderson* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
      web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com

      twitter: silverlunace <http://twitter.com/silverlunace> facebook:
      anniesanderson <http://facebook.com/anniesanderson>
      *Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*