I'm pretty convinced that the damp makes my van's battery drain
faster.  Your symptom sounds like mine, which I suspect is a slow
battery leak.  I take it as the van complaining of not being driven
often enough.  But maybe it is not the same.  I get a weak engine turn
over for a bit, but then after that just a click sound coming from the
back.  Adding some extra battery power makes it start near instantly.

We have the extra cabin battery - this makes getting a jump easy (but
still a pain in the ass).  I'm yet to get stuck but I did buy a
charger.  What I really need is a decent multi-meter to try and figure
out this power drain for good.

Tom

On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 12:13 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> 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