I just want to comment...all Ignition Switches are not alike.  I was having "turn key, nothing happens" issues.  Was on the road, and bought a new switch at Napa in a small town in Colorado.  Seemed to work...for a while.  But then "turn key, nothing happens" problem returned.

So I replaced it with a switch from Van-Cafe; they said they used to use the Kostal brand, but have become unavailable so they changed to Meyle.  So that's the one I still have in there with my Hi-Torque starter as part of my Subie 2.2 conversion. (Not sure about the starter but I think it's from KEP (Kennedy Engineering Products); I had my conversion done at California Westy's in San Diego and they use KEP stuff.)

But then, I noticed Bus Depot has the Kostal brand ignition switches; so I ordered one and have it as a backup.  Been debating whether to replace the Meyle switch with the Kostal switch.  But since motor always starts first time, I haven't done it yet.
Of course, if your starter motor "cranks" but doesn't catch, than this is a different issue.
Rich
San Diego

      From: Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
 Sent: Monday, September 5, 2016 3:48 PM
 Subject: Re: Gowesty starter problems
   
Thanks for all the input
1) Ignition switch is brand new installed 4 weeks ago
2) engine is 2.2 WBX GOWESTY's engine with manual transmission 
3) failed starter is a new to me. It is a Gowesty gear reduction starter that  failed 
4) I'll let everyone know what Gowesty says. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon 

Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont  

> On Sep 5, 2016, at 11:44 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> First things first, have you checked your ignition switch?  If it is a bad
> starter, GW claims theirs is a custom design, and supposedly superior.  It's
> time for the TDI starter & adapter if it's gone bad so soon.
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Jowell
> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 3:25 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Gowesty starter problems
> 
> I've  had my Gowesty starter for two years plus for 22,000 miles starter
> does not work now. Is this typical of this type a starter? For a while I
> noticed that the brushes get stuck then I'll tap the starter and it would
> turn over, now that wont work anymore. 12.5 volts a starter. Connections are
> clean + light application of dielectric grease. Is there a better starter
> out there? Gowesty wants $299 for a new one. I have no idea as far as a
> warranty. Will call them tomorrow.
> My Westy is running great except now for the starter.
> 
> Dennis Jowell
> Scotch Hollow Farm
> Newbury, Vermont 
>