hard for me to understand why many people do not, in a case like this,
immediately connect a Remote Starter Switch to the solenoid trigger
terminal and good positive voltage.

then push the button  ! .
if the starter goes ...then you know the problem is somewhere in the
rest of the van's wiring.
if it doesn't go ...
do the old hammer trick, while holding it energized , tap it with a hammer.
if it goes then, you've identified that your starter is very like old or
weak.

always check grounds of course ~ !

the remote starter connection thing is so handy, why not just have a
dedicated wire in your engine compartment for that ?
heck ..some people have been known to make that wire long enough so in
an emergency you can touch it to the hot terminal on the alternator.
Heck again ...on these 25+ year old vans I sometimes install a heavy
duty generic starter button up front ..
so if the original circuit doesn't work you still have that one .

Scott

On 1/12/2016 3:25 AM, Larry Alofs wrote:
> Can you hear/feel your starter relay click when you turn the key?
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 8:15 AM, john <john@jhl.mgacoxmail.com> wrote:
>
>> My van ('84, 1.9L engine, automatic transmission) is having
>> to spend this winter in my driveway. Â Once overnight
>> temperature drop into the low 30s or worse (for middle
>> Georgia), turning the key to the start position will not
>> energize the starter. Â I can hear fuel pump turn on. Â Not a
>> battery issue as interior lights are bright. Â Neutral-start
>> switch on automatic transmission shift lever is bypassed.
>>
>> I have a Bosch starter relay in the starter motor circuit
>> and everything works fine once the van has been in the sun
>> for a couple of hours. Â I am wondering if the contacts in
>> the ignition switch (12 to 15 years since replacement) are
>> worn to the point they will not make contact in the cold.
>>
>> Is this a possibility?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> John
>>