You can try a relay (get a sealed one, like T3's to prevent accidental shorting), but that didn't work for me.  These starters are weak to begin with, and the rebuilt units are junk too (garbage in, garbage out). This is the real fix: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23528&category_id=&category_parent_id= 

The current through the ignition switch isn't all that huge--a pulse of current to throw the solenoid, and a much smaller amount to keep it engaged while cranking.  The solenoid itself makes the high current connection from the battery directly to the starter.  Often the solenoid is the problem, or it's a combination of both parts being "weak".

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Rick Cooper
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 9:10 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Starter hesitation

Since buying it earlier this year, the starter on my 87 Westy hesitates
when I turn turn the ignition to start.  There's an initial 'umph' --
starter gives kind of a push, then it stops for 1/4 to 1/2 a second before
it starts again and, this time, carries on to start the engine.  Have I got
a bad connection and, if so, where might it be?  I've heard of installing a
relay somewhere in the starter circuit -- would that help?  What kind of
relay do I need and where in the circuit would it go?

Thanks for any pointers,

Rick