Yes a very good chance. Replace the lock cylinder and the electronic piece attached to it. If I recall correctly the electronic piece is the part with the spring in it. I might be wrong, however it's a maintenance item to replace them both as they wear out.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 9, 2017, at 12:48 PM, Laura Mangan <laurakmangan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hey Folks,
> 
> So i will admit that farming keeps me entirely too busy.
> I have not done much for investigating my NO START situation.
> Yesterday, I tried to start it, just for the heck of it, and it occurred to
> me , that it could be the lock cylinder. (i think thats what its called,
> when the key is placed and turned to start the van)
> 
> I had some plugs replaced in there a while ago, and the mechanic told me
> that it may fail soon, it looks a little sketchy.
> 
> But, anyway, what i noticed when i turned the key yesterday, is that it
> goes from OFF position over to lights up on dashboard, but then it
> seemingly stops. I fell like i remember there being a little resistance, at
> which point a firm twist would crank the engine over. Now, nothing. the key
> just turns all the way to a firm stop position, with no attempt to turn
> over.
> 
> 
> Is there a chance it could the lock cylinder, and how can i possibly
> troubleshoot this?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Clueless as usual
> 
> Laura
> 
> On Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 1:30 PM, Laura Mangan <laurakmangan@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks George, I'll check it out.
>> 
>> Haven't had time yet. But I'll let you know how it goes.
>> 
>>> On Jun 12, 2017 12:45 PM, "George Gaudette" <gcgaudette@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Laura,
>>> 
>>> It came to my attention that the link I sent only worked temporarily.
>>> Here is the URL YouTube provides for sharing:
>>>  https://youtu.be/9HkA1GYQnvY
>>> (title: "VW T3: Westfalia starter removal", posted by "Thomas EXOVCDS")
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Good luck!
>>> 
>>> George
>>> 
>>> On Sat, Jun 10, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Laura Mangan <laurakmangan@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I will have to check this out! Thanks George. I do hear the fuel pump.
>>> I replaced the fuel pump in March also. (well, a stellar shop in Charlotte
>>> NC did)
>>>> 
>>>> So, i am hearing buzzing (oil light) when i put the key in the
>>> ignition, the dash is illuminated, and when i turn the key over.... I hear
>>> the fuel pump whirl, but not even the slightest attempt at a crank (turning
>>> over)
>>>> 
>>>> I'll crawl underneath when i have time and inspect the starter. hope
>>> all is okay under there (its brand new as of March)
>>>> 
>>>> Many thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> Laura
>>>> 
>>>> On Fri, Jun 9, 2017 at 12:12 AM, George Gaudette <gcgaudette@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Laura. I just went through a no-start situation myself, and am not
>>>>> mechanically experienced. The problem was the starter, and this video
>>> was
>>>>> helpful in getting me familiar with the starter and how to access it:
>>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HkA1GYQnvY&t=258s
>>>>> 
>>>>> You can see the starter wire connection at the solenoid (that Jim and
>>> Jason
>>>>> mentioned) at 4:10, when it gets pulled off.  Point being that if
>>> you're
>>>>> are willing and able to get under your van with a flashlight -- **
>>> never
>>>>> with the van supported by only a jack ** -- whether or not that wire
>>> fell
>>>>> off is something you could check for free.  You can see it without
>>> removing
>>>>> stuff if you're patient looking for it.  Just be careful what you
>>> touch,
>>>>> live wires there.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I'm curious if you hear the fuel pump whiz when you turn the key to
>>> Start?
>>>>> 
>>>>> -George
>>>>> '90 Westy Camper Automatic
>>>>> 
>>>>> I feel like mine could totally fall off at any moment!
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Tue, Jun 6, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Jason <uberhare@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In usually give the crimp a bit of squeeze while I'm changing one if
>>> that
>>>>>> wire is at all loose.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Jason
>>>>>> Uberbus
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2017 8:01 PM, "Jim Arnott" <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> “The dash is lighting up, when i turn the key, it doesn't even try
>>> to
>>>>>> turn
>>>>>>> over….”
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> “New starter in March.”
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Me? I’d look first that the wire from the key switch is attached
>>> to the
>>>>>>> solenoid. Mine has been known to fall off on occasion. Especially
>>> after
>>>>>>> messing with it. “New starter in March.” indicates ‘messed with.'
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Handle - Get another one.  There’s one small screw that holds the
>>> lock
>>>>>>> cylinder.  Remove it, exchange lock cylinders, replace it.  All
>>> done.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2017, at 3:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <
>>> d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> There can be a number of reasons for a "no crank" situation on
>>> any car.
>>>>>>> Having a known good battery is the first place to "start"! Part of
>>> that
>>>>>> is
>>>>>>> to have a meter and know how to use it to test voltage at the
>>> battery and
>>>>>>> other places while trying to crank it. From remote folks here can
>>> suggest
>>>>>>> many different things to look at but without some knowledge and
>>> tools you
>>>>>>> are simply replacing parts until it runs. So here are some places
>>> to
>>>>>> start:
>>>>>>>> Battery, to know it is good it needs to be load tested. A good
>>> auto
>>>>>>> parts store may have one. Having 12 volts at rest does not mean it
>>> will
>>>>>>> work when you ask it to produce 200 amps.
>>>>>>>> Starter- it is common for the Bosch units to have bad brushes or
>>>>>>> solenoids making them intermittent.
>>>>>>>> Ignition switch and wiring. Many have added boost relays to get
>>> past
>>>>>>> these problems. If automatic the neutral switch is also suspect.
>>>>>>>> Battery and ground cables. They can look good and not be! Again,
>>>>>> testing
>>>>>>> under load.
>>>>>>>> Horror of horrors! Something wrong with engine.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Since it ran before it sat the battery is suspect and so is a
>>> used one.
>>>>>>> Batteries don’t tolerate neglect and letting them discharge and go
>>> dead
>>>>>>> especially in winter will destroy them. If new battery doesn’t do
>>> it then
>>>>>>> consider you may have a bad starter. Was it installed at a shop?
>>>>>> Warranty?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>>> Of Laura Mangan
>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 4:35 PM
>>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>> Subject: No Start & Sliding door handle'
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> '85 1.9L Vanagon
>>>>>>>> Potter Co. North Central PA
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hi Folks,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> My van wont start....
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> All was well when i last drove it (admittedly, almost a month
>>> ago) Now,
>>>>>>> it wont start. I tried to jump start it, And no luck. took the
>>> battery to
>>>>>>> NAPA, and turns out, one of the cells or something, is fried. Okay.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> So, i have another newish battery, i try that... No luck. Try to
>>> jump
>>>>>>> start with the new battery. Nothing.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> So, i take the battery out, put it on a trickle charger to make
>>> sure
>>>>>> its
>>>>>>> charged. Yep. No luck, once again.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> The dash is lighting up, when i turn the key, it doesn't even
>>> try to
>>>>>>> turn over....
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> New starter in March.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Any thoughts?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Also..... My exterior sliding door handle broke off beyond the
>>> key
>>>>>> hole.
>>>>>>>> So, locking mechanism is functional, but i cannot open it from
>>> the
>>>>>>> outside.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Short of replacing the entire unit (and getting another key)
>>> what can i
>>>>>>> do?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hopeless and not even a slight bit mechanically inclined,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Laura
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Tue, Jun 6, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Jason <uberhare@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In usually give the crimp a bit of squeeze while I'm changing one if
>>> that
>>>>>> wire is at all loose.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Jason
>>>>>> Uberbus
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2017 8:01 PM, "Jim Arnott" <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> “The dash is lighting up, when i turn the key, it doesn't even try
>>> to
>>>>>> turn
>>>>>>> over….”
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> “New starter in March.”
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Me? I’d look first that the wire from the key switch is attached
>>> to the
>>>>>>> solenoid. Mine has been known to fall off on occasion. Especially
>>> after
>>>>>>> messing with it. “New starter in March.” indicates ‘messed with.'
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Handle - Get another one.  There’s one small screw that holds the
>>> lock
>>>>>>> cylinder.  Remove it, exchange lock cylinders, replace it.  All
>>> done.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2017, at 3:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <
>>> d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> There can be a number of reasons for a "no crank" situation on
>>> any car.
>>>>>>> Having a known good battery is the first place to "start"! Part of
>>> that
>>>>>> is
>>>>>>> to have a meter and know how to use it to test voltage at the
>>> battery and
>>>>>>> other places while trying to crank it. From remote folks here can
>>> suggest
>>>>>>> many different things to look at but without some knowledge and
>>> tools you
>>>>>>> are simply replacing parts until it runs. So here are some places
>>> to
>>>>>> start:
>>>>>>>> Battery, to know it is good it needs to be load tested. A good
>>> auto
>>>>>>> parts store may have one. Having 12 volts at rest does not mean it
>>> will
>>>>>>> work when you ask it to produce 200 amps.
>>>>>>>> Starter- it is common for the Bosch units to have bad brushes or
>>>>>>> solenoids making them intermittent.
>>>>>>>> Ignition switch and wiring. Many have added boost relays to get
>>> past
>>>>>>> these problems. If automatic the neutral switch is also suspect.
>>>>>>>> Battery and ground cables. They can look good and not be! Again,
>>>>>> testing
>>>>>>> under load.
>>>>>>>> Horror of horrors! Something wrong with engine.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Since it ran before it sat the battery is suspect and so is a
>>> used one.
>>>>>>> Batteries don’t tolerate neglect and letting them discharge and go
>>> dead
>>>>>>> especially in winter will destroy them. If new battery doesn’t do
>>> it then
>>>>>>> consider you may have a bad starter. Was it installed at a shop?
>>>>>> Warranty?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>>> Of Laura Mangan
>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 4:35 PM
>>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>>> Subject: No Start & Sliding door handle'
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> '85 1.9L Vanagon
>>>>>>>> Potter Co. North Central PA
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hi Folks,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> My van wont start....
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> All was well when i last drove it (admittedly, almost a month
>>> ago) Now,
>>>>>>> it wont start. I tried to jump start it, And no luck. took the
>>> battery to
>>>>>>> NAPA, and turns out, one of the cells or something, is fried. Okay.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> So, i have another newish battery, i try that... No luck. Try to
>>> jump
>>>>>>> start with the new battery. Nothing.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> So, i take the battery out, put it on a trickle charger to make
>>> sure
>>>>>> its
>>>>>>> charged. Yep. No luck, once again.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> The dash is lighting up, when i turn the key, it doesn't even
>>> try to
>>>>>>> turn over....
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> New starter in March.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Any thoughts?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Also..... My exterior sliding door handle broke off beyond the
>>> key
>>>>>> hole.
>>>>>>>> So, locking mechanism is functional, but i cannot open it from
>>> the
>>>>>>> outside.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Short of replacing the entire unit (and getting another key)
>>> what can i
>>>>>>> do?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hopeless and not even a slight bit mechanically inclined,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Laura
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>