This can be caused by bad solenoid contacts, sticking solenoid, or bad
brushes/commutator on the starter motor itself. A bad bushing in the
trans case can also cause erratic starter operation but this will be
more consistent.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Todd Last
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 7:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Starting problems...

My van is getting persnickety about starting. Usually when it is cold it
refuses to engage the starter.
However, if I whack the side of the starter and solenoid, it will
usually start afterwards - but not always.
(I remembered this trick from having two previous air-cooled VWs.)

I'm assuming that the solenoid is sticking. If I turn the battery gauge
on the camper panel on, I get a green light - just nothing happens when
I turn the key.

Can I just take the solenoid out and clean it? Or is this just the
beginning of starter failure? battery failure?

Todd
'88 Westy