On Tue, 19 Aug 1997 bachmanb@smtpgw1.plk.af.mil wrote:

>      [snip]
>      Every VW starter I've seen is self contained; 
>      they don't have a separate "solenoid" like you used to find on some 
>      cars (Ford comes to mind).  

The starter on my '81 has a seperate solenoid.  I know, because when I 
replaced it many years ago I went to VWofA to purchase it.  Naturally, 
the counter guy had to order it.  And even though I repeatedly told him 
my starter was different than the "standard" manual transmission starter 
I saw in my manual (I found out later VW changed the starter in mid-year) 
he growled at me "all I need to know is whether it's manual or 
automatic."  So, naturally, when it arrived, it was the wrong part and, 
naturally, this was the start of the 4th of July weekend, so I had to 
wait another 7 days or so to get the right part.

Last time I ever went to VWofA for parts........

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Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
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