This may sound extreme, but I ran a LARGE (1/2" stranded) copper cable from
the tranny, thru the battery box and on up to the passenger footwell.
This improved the chassis ground tremendously.  Not only does the starter
work better, but I have no ignition/alternator noise being picked up by the
stereo equipment installed in the passenger footwell.

 >Subject:      Dragging starter
 >To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
 >
 >I have installed a relay to feed the solenoid on my starter. It did NOT
 >make any difference, but I am keeping it, as it will take the current load
 >off the switch in the ignition lock.
 >
 >I'm waiting for the ground to dry and my store of surplus energy to build
 >up, then I will pull the starter and have a close look at it. Or maybe I
 >take the soft route and have a real mechanic replace the starter...
 >
 >
 >  ************************************************************
 >    Johan Nyberg, Sweden N 59o E 17o 25"
 >    '86 Caravelle C
 >  ************************************************************
 >

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Frank Terhaar-Yonkers
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cat3900 Software Team
7025 Kit Creek Road  PO Box 14987
Research Triangle Park,  North Carolina  27709
fty@cisco.com   voice (919)472-2101   FAX (919)472-2940