They do on my car! I recently had the wheel off to see on a leather cover and replace the horn ring. While things were apart, I took the already white-greased turn signal assembly and packed it with Vaseline. 

Jim

On Jan 29, 2012, at 1:37 PM, "Scott Daniel  - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> horn contact rings never get lubed that I've noticed..
> and they need 'something' every once in a while.
> it's just  bare metal to metal contact where the horn contact tab thing rides on the horn contact ring.
> 
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 10:19 AM
> Subject: Re: Is it the ignition switch, or something else?
> 
> 
> I'm looking out for the possibility that it is the mechanical part. I have
> a couple of those lying around, but today I just replaced the electrical
> part to see what happened. The car doesn't ever "not start." It just
> might—or might not— take some wheel turning and multiple tries. It started
> right up today on the old switch before I started putting in the new one,
> and likewise it started right up with the new one in.
> 
> It gave me a chance to lube everything, anyway.
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 10:14 AM, ralph meyermann
> <ralphmeyermann@gmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> This past summer I got a hold of all the keyed door locks and
>> ignition/wiper/turn assembly and mine does the same thing as before!
>> Thinking the relay kit for mine and wear inthe tail/tail socket in the
>> switch possibility for the other issue!
>> 
>> Velma 82diesel 1.6 na westy
>> 
>> On Jan 29, 2012 10:07 AM, "Alan Felder" <dieseldoofus@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Jim - my guess is that you have the same problem I had.  The ignition lock
>> has a "tail" on it which engages the electrical switch and turns the switch
>> to the various positions.  If that "tail" becomes worn as mine was, it will
>> not quite turn the switch to the start position.  A better test is to take
>> the lock/switch off and use the existing switch with a screwdriver.  If
>> that starts it, then your problem is the lock "tail".  They wear inside
>> where you can't see but if you wiggle the tail while the switch is out that
>> is also a clue.  Should not be loose like mine was.
>> 
>> This was one of the things that Steve (Steve's Lock Shoppe) repaired for
>> me, using another lock which originally came from a VW Rabbit (I think).
>> By the way, Steve re-worked all of my locks and for anyone not familiar, he
>> did a fantastic job in a short time and was way more than reasonable, and
>> fun to work with.  I was lucky in that I could stop by on my way through
>> Huntsville, Texas and the work was done in his driveway.
>> 
>> 
>> On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 4:52 PM, James Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> > Lately, my 83 diesel...
>> --
>> Alan Felder
>> Austin TX
>> 82 Diesel Westy
>