What Jim said...

I will only use Kostal or URO switches.  Both made in Germany.

The Meyle switches (like so many of their parts) are junk.

Cheers, 

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 4:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Ignition/starter switch failures

Don't waste your time or money on anything but the correct german-made switches. Someone on the list will chime in. Buy a spare in case they quit making them. The last Meyle I installed (which will the the last Meyle I
install) lasted exactly a week. German one from Old Volks Home--no problems.

Jim

On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 5:50 PM Ed McLean <email99@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Over the last year I have had 3 ignition/starter switch (111 905 865L) 
> failures after not having but 3 failures in the preceding 22 years, 
> all with the same Vanagon.
>
> Has the quality of these electrical switches declined?  They look just 
> like they always have.
>
> I haven't changed the load on the switch with recent modifications or 
> component replacements except for the starter so I don't think they 
> are being overloaded.  Does the gear drive TDI Jetta Bosch starter 
> draw more current for solenoid activation than the original late Vanagon starter?
>
> Maybe I have just gotten a bad batch of switches?
>
> Is there a particular brand of switches to steer clear of or is there 
> a brand that is superior to others?  One of these that failed was 
> Meyle brand and another was a premium priced one from Worldpac.  Does 
> anyone have any experience with NAPA's Altrom brand"
>
> Thanks for any and all comments.
>
> Ed
>