if the parking lot is always busy ..
there will be helpers around to push, assuming it's a manual trans in
your 88.

I sure recommend a 'starter trigger' wire in the engine compartment ..
( connected to the solenoid trigger terminal and stashed in the engine
compartment where you can touch the other end to your hot alt post
...very handy for testing purposes, self-rescue, and to connect your
Remoter Starter switch to for doing compression checks, etc. )

It does sorta sound like a suddenly dead starter to me.

Did you eyeball and wiggle/twist on the battery  cable clamps at the
battery ?
( though if they are weak and loose contact it's usually not the symptom
you are describing ....about the headlights going nearly dim. )

Dang electrons not behaving ! What's up with that !?

scott

On 12/14/2012 12:13 AM, neil n wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> This is for a stock '88 Westy.
>
> In spite of some recent wiring and a low battery a while back,
> (charged it up, starter worked fine after that), the engine has always
> started.
>
> Today at the mall, when restarting, the starter wouldn't turn. IIRC,
> it "clicked" once, but then nothing. Voltage at battery and alternator
> stud: 12.8  Battery posts + clamps, and starter 30 connection are
> clean. Solenoid connection is fairly clean. (certainly not corroded)
> Turning key dims headlights nearly completely. I hit the starter
> several times with a hammer, but NOT while a helper held the key in
> the "start" position. I ran out of trouble shooting time and had to go
> to work.
>
> I'm hoping it's the ignition switch but if not......
>
> Can a starter (or solenoid) just suddenly fail?  In my experience they
> usually give warning signs; slow and/or intermittent cranking.
>
> I'm asking b/c instead of racking up another call to AAA for a tow,
> weather permitting, I'll drag along a spare starter (I'll be on foot)
> and swap that in if that's the most likely issue.
>
> Bump starting not so easy as this parking lot is always busy.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>