Hi Dan,

        It may be some time before I have someone that can look at the images.

Here is a little more info.

        I don’t know my gages, wire sizes,but it has three wires one black and thick as my pinky finger. And two red smaller about a pencil diameter. 
        We checked and the black wire was live when ignition on.  We decided to take a chance and reconnect,.

        The strange thing is it seemed fine so I wonder if there is a second wire from my batter to the starter.  I don’t know how many wires are on that batter when stock. 

We found this while putting in a new engine harness. 

        All is running great at the moment in the garage but can’t do a real test drive until spring.

Any thoughts on this strange thing appreciated.  The wire sure seemed like it simply fell out of the connector.  If taken off on purpose I don’t think they would have left a live bare wire hanging there.

Eric 

> On Jan 2, 2023, at 3:32 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> hi Eric,
> 
> Here are some images that may help you.
> 
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=327387
> 
> https://www.google.com/search?q=vanagon+starter+wiring&sxsrf=ALiCzsYT4GoPbQE2iTsIq5dTKNcM0ASHAQ:1672691375661&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0ho_63Kn8AhUkFjQIHbI1CnIQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1987&bih=1046&dpr=0.9#imgrc=SO5xhMTIVrOqEM&imgdii=UtMIQYr_NF7lMM
> 
> On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 12:19 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Hi friends.
>> 
>> I’m hoping for some help as I have a starter issue.
>> 
>> My starter is working just a bit slow to get going.
>> 
>> But, when I went under the van I found three wires but only two were
>> hooked up.  The third wire and the thickest of them was not connected as
>> the connector had come off.
>> 
>> So, what is the thick wire for?  As far as I know everything was working.
>> All lights and even the house batteries and the starter and the
>> alternator.
>> 
>> How could it work with this not connected?  And what are the usual three
>> or so wires connected to the starter?
>> 
>> Eric Caron
>> 84 manual trans.
>>