Oh -- one final bit of information that has me pretty convinced the
problem is the battery: I have a couple "smart"* chargers in the van,
one for the deep cycle, one for the starter, I power them up when I
might not be driving for a week or more. If I leave the charger on
overnight, the starter turns over right quick in the morning.

I'll do as was suggested: have the battery load tested at my local
friendly Les Schwab tire center.

============

*They say they're smart but I've never heard they say anything notable.

--
Rocky J Squirrel

On Thu, 2010-09-16 at 03:19 -0700, Rob wrote:
> Batteries do wear out, 5 yrs is a long time for a car battery. When
> was the last time you checked the water level (use distilled water)?
> I have one of those really simple battery hydrometers, it will show
> me the condition of the acid in the battery cells.
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
>
>
> At  9/15/2010 07:05 PM, Courtney Hook wrote:
> >Well keep me informed Rocket man, because I have the exact same syptoms in
> >my 77 Bay, and I'm wondering if it's the battery. Like you, I've got all new
> >wiring and cleaned connections re; ground straps etc. Last thing I can
> >figger is either battery or starter itself.
> >Courtney
> >
> >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> >Always be yourself, because the people that matter don't mind,
> >and the ones who mind, don't matter.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
> >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 6:38 PM
> >Subject: Starter: it's one or another
> >
> >
> >>On our recent trip, I noticed that Mellow Yellow's starter had quite a
> >>bit of hesitation when the engine was warm. Turning the key would result
> >>in a single "chug," then a pause, then "chug, chug, chug" and the engine
> >>would start.
> >>
> >>This is not new, it's been going on for a couple years at least, and
> >>it's getting worse.
> >>
> >>Two possibilities come to mind: high resistance in the starter motor
> >>main current path, or weak starter battery.
> >>
> >>I am in agreement with David Beierl that fat copper cables don't "wear
> >>out" or develop high resistances due to age. Without damage to the
> >>insulation, the copper will be fine. The transmission's ground strap was
> >>just re-tightened when the transmission was pulled and replaced.
> >>
> >>Besides -- should a warm engine be easier, not harder, to turn over?
> >>
> >>I lean toward the theory that the starter battery is getting long in the
> >>tooth. Those things do wear out.
> >>
> >>Unless someone talks me down, I'm just going to go out and buy a
> >>replacement.
> >>
> >>--