I'm going to suggest that the PO wired around the starter switch when it
failed.
I've seen a variety of combination push buttons while turning the
ignition switch and they're always an electrical nightmare.
Your Vanagon doesn't need any additional solenoid at the starter it;
probably just needs the solenoid cleaned.
At this stage I'd say both a new ignition switch, clean the solenoid and
disconnect the additional solenoid. Leave all the wiring in place just in
case this is a configuration that is something new to me, you could need
it. I doubt it though.

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia

On Mon, 17 Jun 2002 19:27:20 -0400 Steve Selin <sjselin@NETZERO.NET>
writes:
> Hello,
>
> If anyone else has this similar rigging job, I'd really appreciate
> some
> input.  I wish the rigger would have given some written explanation
> for an
> appendix to Bentley!  I promise when I get this figured out I will
> write an
> appendix for my book to pass on to the next owner.
>
> It is a booster switch that you mentioned.  The wires coming from it
> go to
> the solenoid.  Also, 2 other wires come from the dash area (they
> look
> original).  1 large red, one small blue/brown.  The red wire goes
> into some
> sort of square relay with 3 other wires coming out of it that go to
> the
> solenoid and to a ground.  I assume this is the ignition.  I think
> the
> blue/brown one was not attached.  IS THIS POSSIBLE that it no longer
> needs
> to be attached to the starter?  I am trying to get the original
> starter back
> on, but there is one too many wires.  I know that everything else is
> correct
> EXCEPT there was one extra blue wire that I did not notice when I
> took the
> starter off.  AND there is a blue wire coming from the 4-way relay.
> SO:
> either I should attach the blue wire from the relay, OR I should
> attach the
> blue/brown wire coming from the dash.  Anyone with this rigging, I'd
> be
> forever grateful if you could check yours out and let me know what's
> up.
>
> Thank you as many times as it takes to wear away a mountain with the
> pass of
> a silk scarf,
>
> steve
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael aka ECHO [mailto:echosmurf@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 12:22 AM
> To: steve selin
> Subject: RE: Starter for 1981 automatic: questions
>
>
> Well Steve,
> WHat happens; is over the years... The wiring length between the
> ignition and the starter can build up a bit of resistance.
> Sometimes the voltgae comes uop a tad shy for what the starter
> needs. Most thinkt he starter has gone bad at that point.  The
> boost well, is actually a direct 12 volt and max amparage form
> the battery, rather than the ignintion system. So, when you try
> to use the ignition and the boost swtich (only thing I can think
> of calling it) together really bump that starter over.
> http://www.echo207.com/st1.html has  apicture I took just about
> an hour before this e-mail and posted on my web site.
> Ther has been a few threads about it on this lsit and a few
> other web sites have talked about it.
> Mike
>
> --- steve selin <s.j.selin@vt.edu> wrote:
> > Thanks!  I'll check out the other starter.
> >
> > What's that about a 12v boost?  Does the starter usually get
> > less than 12?
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List
> > [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> > Of Michael aka ECHO
> > Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2002 10:26 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Starter for 1981 automatic: questions
> >
> >
> > Hello,
> > Yeah i went through this when I got my re-built starter
> > through
> > work. Found out there were different ones made.  BTW, taht
> > bypass switch I can bet it isn't a bypass switch. Just a 12v
> > boost to help start the van. I have it myself. 1980 Vanagon
> > here. If anything do return that starter and get the right
> > one.
> > Otherwise.. I'll have to crawl under my van and maybe take
> > some
> > pics even to help out if need be. Let me know.
> > Mike aka ECHO
> > --- Steve Selin <sjselin@NETZERO.NET> wrote:
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I just bought a starter for my 1981 (automatic) van.  The
> > > picture looked
> > > > just like the one I had.  BUT it is missing 1 contact.
> > > There are 3
> > > > contacts on the (old) solenoid (not counting the bolted
> > > contact).  There
> > > > are 2 in a pair (red wires), and there is one by itself
> > > (blue wire).  The
> > > > new starter is missing this third contact.  Anyone know
> > > what's going on?
> > > >
> > > > I am told there were early and late model 1981s and the
> > > starters differ.
> > > > Do I need the late model starter even though the picture
> > > made it look like
> > > > the solenoid and motor are MUCH closer together?
> > > >
> > > > ALSO:  When reassembling with new starter, I found 4 wires
> > > in need of a
> > > > (non-bolted) contact, but only 3 contacts!  What's up I
> > say?
> > >  At one point
> > > > someone wired a switch from the dash to the starter to
> > > bypass a faulty
> > > > key/ignition.  This wire was wired to the pair of contacts
> > > on the
> > > > solenoid.  Is this now replacing one of the original
> > wires,
> > > hence leaving
> > > > it dangling?
> > > >
> > > > Help, please if you know what's going on!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Steve
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Steven Selin      -        s.j.selin@vt.edu
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> > =====
> > MY first VW!
> > 1980 Vanagon L "D'Arius"
> > LOOK a picture!!!http://www.echo207.com/vanagon.html
> > Need any general computer help? Computer blonde? E-mail:
> > echo207@excite.com and I will see what I can do to help.
> > And a DEAD 84 buick Skylark (Going to see if I can jump the
> > California
> > Aqueduct ...)
> > 78 Toyota Corona (POS everytime I fix something..something
> > else breaks!)
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
> > http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com
> >
>
>
> =====
> MY first VW!
> 1980 Vanagon L "D'Arius"
> LOOK a picture!!!http://www.echo207.com/vanagon.html
> Need any general computer help? Computer blonde? E-mail:
> echo207@excite.com and I will see what I can do to help.
> And a DEAD 84 buick Skylark (Going to see if I can jump the
> California
> Aqueduct ...)
> 78 Toyota Corona (POS everytime I fix something..something else
> breaks!)
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
> http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com
>