Alex:

If it does turn out to be the starter, I would recommend you get an adapter plate and use the VW TD/TDi diesel starter - they are a gear reduction starter and will spin over the waterboxer with ease.  It’s also a much easier to find and cheaper part.

> On 20-Oct-2018, at 02:53, Todd Last <rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> You can purchase the solenoid separate from the starter, it is about $70. If you take the starter out, make sure you do not loose the bushing or forget to put it back in. My experience is that the solenoid goes bad way before the starter itself. Also check for loose connections.
> 
> Todd
> '88 Westy
> 
> 
>> On October 19, 2018 at 10:37 AM Alex MeVay <alex@MEVAY.ORG> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I had the same problem ~2 years ago.  Intermittent failure, but
>> tapping the starter would make usually make it work again.
>> 
>> The problem turned out to be not the starter itself, but the
>> solenoid/control connection (the wire that goes to the ignition
>> switch) at the starter itself.  On my originally diesel van, this
>> connection was made by a 1/4" quick connect, so apologies if it's not
>> relevant to your setup.  There was some corrosion, but the original
>> wiring was also stiff with age, putting a lot of stress on that
>> connection.  I cut off the original quick-connect, spliced in a short
>> length of 12ga "ultra flex" wire with a new female quick connect to
>> minimize stress on the connection, cable tied the original wire to the
>> starter for strain relief, wire brushed the terminals, and hooked up
>> the new quick connect with some dielectric grease, and it's been good
>> ever since.
>> 
>> Good luck; hopefully your issue will be as cheap and straightforward to fix.
>> 
>> Alex