That's what I'm thinking too Larry. The starter switch was just 
preventative replacement maintenance really since 300K is a long life 
for that part as I see it. Iproved to myself that wasn't at all 
connected to the symptom by unplugging it

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com>
To: David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@aol.com>
Cc: vanagon <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Mon, Dec 10, 2012 4:08 pm
Subject: Re: starter turns except when the battery is disconnected but 
does not turn engine-solenoid problem?

The ignition switch almost certainly has nothing to do with your 
problem.   It sounds like mostly a mechanical problem with the solenoid 
and/or the movement of the starter drive gear on the shaft.

Larry A.

On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 3:48 PM, David Clarkson 
&lt;dvdclarksn@aol.com&gt; wrote:
Don't know if anyone is still following this thread but my problem
began as an intermittant slow turning of the starter and then I had one
instance where the starter would not disengage after starting until I
revved the engine a bit. The current situation is that when I tried to
start the engine the starter motor would not stop turning until I
disconnected the battery but it never turned over the engine. I ordered 
another ignition switch since it
was only about $6 and mine had almost 300K on it (geez according to 
Ben's site looks like I'll need to find a steering wheel puller to 
replace this part). In the mean time I
disconnected the switch completely and then reconnected the
battery-same problem. I am now thinking that something both mechanical
and or electrical is going on with the solenoid. Any opinions or
similar problems out there?  Maybe a problem with the starter
bushings? Oh and this is a 1990 Vanagon with a manual tranny. I am
looking for a solenoid online but have had limited success. Any
suggestions should this be the problem on where I might find a good
solenoid? I might go with the new/rebuilt starter/solenoid I saw on the
samba. The seller says  he doesn't know if it is for a manual or auto
but it looks different than the automatic starters listed in the same
section. I hate to be that guy that just starts throwing parts at a 
problem but at this point I can't imagine anything else that could have 
failed.
It would be just as easy to swap out the entire starter/solenoid 
assembly as just changing the solenoid and I would have a spare starter 
on hand that I could have rebuilt with new bushings. While I'm in that 
neighborhood I'll clean and check all the wiring. I can't imagine 
anything simply wiring related after looking at the Bentley that could 
be causing this symptom but it would be good preventative maintenance 
as well as a good time to check for adequete voltage at the starter. 
Any opinions from the been there done that members of the list would be 
an early Christmas/Hanukkah/ Kwanza/Festivus gift from you to me. 
Thanks everyone.

David Clarkson
90 Westy-can't seem to get the planets to align to get started