If it starts while cold, and not while hot, try replacing the bushing
before replacing the whole starter.

Cheers, Tom Neal

On Mon, 12 Jul 1999, Brad Anderson wrote:

> This weekend, on three seperate occasions, my starter wouldn't do its thing
> when I turned the key.
>
> *       The first time I figured it was the ingnition tumbler because there
> was no sound from the rear when the key hit the 'start' position. Sliding
> under the van and checking the connections at the starter resulted in
> nothing. I tried my back-up key and the van started.
> *       The next day, while hurrying to catch a ferry, it happened again.
> This time, my buddy who was standing at the rear, said he could hear the
> fuel injection system switching on when the key hit the 'start' position. He
> threatened sliding under the van to tap the starter, but just then the van
> started (with my regular key) and we were on our way. We presumed the threat
> was what did it.
> *       Then, after the ferry docked, again no start. As you can imagine, I
> threatened up and down, while trying both keys, as angry motorists and
> Washington State Ferry System deckhands observed. After being pushed off the
> ferry by one of those cool little tractors, I bump started it while coasting
> down the ramp.
>
> Long story short, twice later that night the van started with no issue as it
> did this morning. Is this situation the precursor to a starter crapping out?
> Is there anything else I should be checking or testing?
>
> Thanks in advance for your replies!
>
> >       [Brad Anderson]
> >       87 Vanagon Syncro
> >       87 Golf GL
>
>