One simple test, try crawling under the van w/ a hammer and a 12 inch
extension and tap on the starter's solenoid and motor a couple times.  Then
you should try and start the engine.  If it starts, then the starter either
needs a rebuild, or it needs to be replaced.  If it doesn't, try checking
all connections to the starter, and load test the battery.  Hope this
helps....

-Aaron Mckay
                                 mckayaa@oit.edu
                                 college student in mechanical
                                 engineering at Oregon Institute of
Technology
                                 '85 vanagon GL
                                 Proletariat in favor of the status quo

-----Original Message-----
From: Melissa E. Mourkas <legacy@JAVANET.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 12:38 PM
Subject: HELP!!! Van won't start!!!

>This morning I threw my duffle bag into my 87 Syncro for the last leg of
>my trip home, turned the key, and............nothing, no starter, no
>cranking.
>
>Further investigation seems to indicate a strong battery, and I can hear
>the solenoid making noise, but the starter won't crank.
>
>Suggestions, insight, incantations, and prayer are all welcome!
>
>Any help is appreciated.  (At least I am at my sister's place and warm.)
>
>Tony Mourkas
>(c/o legacy@javanet.com)
>
>* In "LIMBO" in western Massachusetts *
>