Dave Caston & Sherrie Payne wrote:
>
> Problem:
> Intermitent no start/turnover on 1.9L 85 GL
> When key is turned to start engine-nothing happens. No click, whirrs, or
> anything.
> Engine temp: engine warm or cold
> So far it's not an absolute thing but just every once in a while.
> After a few more times and it starts.
> It's going in the shop next week for extensive work-up to get everything
> right and would like to have an idea of what to tell ed b.
> What would you look at in order?
> Thanks,

I had this problem a lot on my old 66 Beetle.  New starters didn't
cure it.  Many other folks had starter switches installed.  The
theory was that resistance was building up somewhere in the wiring,
and the starter switch provided a shorter and more direct path.  I
crawled under the bug and stuck a screwdriver between the battery
terminal and ignition switch terminal on the solenoid (dumb solution,
but I was young & foolish).

You can easily wire in a temporary starter switch.  There's an extra
terminal on the side of the solenoid where the wire from the ignition
switch is connected.  Connect a wire from this terminal to one side
of a push button switch.  Connect the other side of the switch to
the terminal on the other side of the solenoid, which comes from the
battery.  You'll need to lift off the rubber boot.  Use a thick wire.
REMEMBER TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST!!!
And if you're standing in back of the van and getting ready to push
the button on your test switch, REMEMBER TO PUT THE TRANNY IN NEUTRAL!

If you're even handier, you could probably mount this switch yourself
and make it permanent.  Or have a pro do it for you.

One other thing -- there's a thick woven wire running from the outside
of the solenoid to the inside of the starter.  This can corrode & break.
I had one replaced at a local starter/alternator shop for about $25 US.

------------------------------------------------------------
Fred Younger
91 GL