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