Tony,

You seem to have accurately diagnosed an ignition switch problem, yet I see
no indication you replaced it ($10?).  You did add a patch (starter relay)
to help the starter solenoid current starvation problem cause by the failing
switch.  Ok.  You're extending the time until total failure.

But why are you ignoring a failing ignition switch?   Just curious.

If it was "worn" enough to not pass enough current to drive the solenoid
(assuming a good solenoid, of course), that probably means there was heat
being generated in the switch with an increasing probability of catastrophic
failure.  That kind of degradation doesn't reverse itself.  Why not replace
it?  It has other electrical contact functions too, which may be near
failure.

I'm wrtiing this because there seems to be a school of thought here that the
starter relay is a fix for a problem.  It's not!  It's a patch.  It extends
the time of failure.  I have no issue with those who believe the relay kit
is an improvement.  Wonderful.  But fix the basic problem first!  Then add
the kit.

//jack

Date sent:              Tue, 7 Sep 2004 18:12:31 -0700
Send reply to:          Anthony Zygmunt <tzygmunt@YAHOO.COM>
From:                   Anthony Zygmunt <tzygmunt@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:                Re: Stuck Solenoid????
To:                     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Steve,
>
> I'm not sure on how your solenoid is wired, but on my
> 81 it is direct from the ignition switch.  As the
> switch wears, a voltage drop occurs, and full voltage
> does not reach the solenoid and it will not pull in.
> I started having problems with my van turning over.  I
> bought a relay kit from bus-boys.com, and I have not
> had any problems since.
>
> Tony
>
>
> --- Steve Shane <shane_steve@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > Greetings all, today my van would not turn over even
> > though it has PLENTY of
> > power. My mechanic is suggesting a stuck Solenoid
> > and swapping out a starter
> > will fix it, can I get your thoughts?
> >
> > Symptoms: often there is a delay from turning the
> > ignition switch to when
> > the engine begins to turn over there is always
> > plenty of power, but one or
> > two seconds goes by before the engine begins to
> > turn.
> >
> > Lately it has gotten worse to the point of the van
> > not starting at all.
> >
> > Battery is new, alternator is new, the van is an 87
> > Westy.
> > Thanks all!!!
> > - Steve
> >
> >
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