�... because it was designed and built to. and so it did. for nigh on 5 years [ almost 25,000 miles] the 1.9 in my `85 has been running mostly well. it's had to have the starter motor replaced earlier this week. again. 2 or 3 years ago I had the existing starter rebuilt. the guy behind the counter didn't (know to ?) ask which transmission the Van has. at the time, I didn't know to tell him - my bad. so, he rebuilt the starter for a manual trans that I had given him. this time , having shopped on line to see a difference, I told shop guy ; auto trans. that's what is bolted on now. okay, I had to recharge the battery to restore self starting ability to my Van. you should have been smiling because it didn't happen to you. I don't expect the engine to have suffered from the mishap(s) : it's been starting ! the moral of this Friday anecdote - ummm ... well ... dang ! them old Volkswagens are tough ! macht mitt qualitat ! I do not recommend you try this at
 home, however, if you're stranded ... � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � mike