I don't like being under the bus when it is running, either. My ignition
system had steadily deteriorated to the point at which I was flipping a
coin when I turned the ignition key (heads, it starts, tails, it doesn't).
This weekend I did the old "replace the starter solenoid with a ford truck
solenoid" trick outlined in Muir, and eloquently reiterated last week by
someone on the list (you know who you are). I mounted it behind (back is
back) the voltage regulator, made some solderless connections with #12
wire, and, one hour later.... no more starting problems! Well, it's only
been one day, but I was happy that I was able to fix it. Total cost
(solenoid + wire + connectors)= $15.00. In retrospect, it seems obvious
that a three-foot wire to the starter would work better than a 20-foot wire
of the same gauge, and that a cool solenoid would work better than a hot
one, but hindsight is 20/20.

Joe Gindhart
'66 Kombi
San Diego, CA
>

>Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 23:57:30 -0500
>From: bighouse@socomm.net (Ken Hooper)
>To: vanagon@lenti
>Subject: Re hot solenoid not kicking
>Message-ID: <v01530500ae05f83d0300@[207.15.162.14]>
>
>
>Mike Benthin:
>
>>Otherwise, if I'm not on a hill, I get underneath with my
>>trusting 14g wire with alligator clips on each end and
>>attach one end to the pull-off connector on the solenoid
>>(red wire goes to it), and touch the other end to the HOT
>>terminal from batter to starter- it should try to kick over.
>
>I'm sure this goes without saying, but look: this kinda stuff scares me.
>I'm completely paranoid about having trucks drop on me (I don't even trust
>jackstands, I put bricks under the frame after I get the jackstands
>situated) and yet twice this year I've had the truck fall off a jack.
>Thought the parking brake would hold it, it didn't, etc.
>
>When you jump the starter like this, your chest (or your head) is under a
>drive wheel. Right? All you have to do is leave it in gear once, and you
>become a casualty in a Roadrunner cartoon. If you won't fix the starter
>right, at least squirm up from the rear to hot-wire it so you're not under
>the wheel.
>
><sermon over. please help yourself to cookies and hawiian punch in the lobby.>
>
>--Ken
>  68 Westy, 71 Bus