Very rare for the ignition key cylinder to have a problem. Common for the switch itself to fail, in numerous ways including not turning as it should especially to the start position.

Dennis,
From my Windows phone.
________________________________
From: Laura Mangan<mailto:laurakmangan@GMAIL.COM>
Sent: �7/�9/�2017 3:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: No Start & Sliding door handle'

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
>> >> > >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>