Check my 2001 post on this list #151356.  You can find this by searching
"volt" and "email99".

In my '86 I found the starter would turn the engine over at a voltage that
was too low for the engine computer to work.  Try jump starting.  If it
starts, this might be your problem.

Or, there might be a bad connection in the electrical system supplying
current to the ECU.

Or, of course, it could be something else.

Good luck.
Ed

On Sat, 31 Aug 2013 19:06:10 -0500, JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>Scenario:
>
>Sam's parking lot with a nice slope.
>
>Vehicle - '88 GL with manual Tranny.
>
>Park. First gear. set Brake. Exit vehicle.
>
>Spend the money in Sams.
>
>Back to the parking lot.
>
>Unlock, enter driver side, close door - WHAM - door won't even shut.
>Bounces back open. Examine locking mechanism - something is loose. Work
>with the little loose thingamajig until it flips over and will engage
>the locking bar on the door post. (Mental note to self - look and see
>what's loose when home.)
>
>Key in the ignition - Tranny to neutral, turn switch - system hot, pause
>- turn switch to engage starter. Starter engages and turns engine like
>crazy. Engine refuses to start. Doesn't even sputter. Ignition off - try
>a gain. Same scene. No start - even a sputter.
>
>Next effort: Vehicle in 3rd gear - clutch in, ignition on but not to
>start, release brake, turn wheels towards down hill, start to roll. Pick
>up a little speed, release clutch, engine coughs, starts, runs fine all
>the way home.
>
>Test: Tried it again. Same scenario. Starter turns engine but it won't
>start. Roll it down hill, engage engine with ignition on - starts every
>time.
>
>It's a mystery.
>
>Anyone have any ideas as to what's going on?? Door AND engine?? Vanagon
>gremlins have taken up residency maybe? I'm mystified.
>
>Thanks,
>
>John