My van has had the relay installed by the PO.  He said the hot start problem
had been a very rare occurrence for him, but for me it has been an absolute
given that the van won't start once it's been on the highway.  The relay was
installed with the new starter just over six months ago.  I don't know if
the solenoid was replaced at the same time.  Of course I've had new parts
off the shelf fail, but with only six months on the starter, I hope it
doesn't need a rebuild yet.

It seems like cleaning and lubing the solenoid is a cheap and easy place to
start. What can I use to lube the solenoid and what do I need to do to clean
it?

Thanks for any help,

Skip Emmert-Keaton
1980 Westy <Ziegelstein>

<snip>BTDT many times.  Usually the solenoid is not the problem.  Do the
relay.  If the starter brushes are bad enough it will need rebuilding.
The ground path for the solenoid is thru the starter circuit.</snip>