'80 Vanagon will start, stop, but not start back up again.

Sisu

My '80 Vanagon has stopped wanting to start after a few miles on the road. It only happens after an hour or more of driving, but if I pull off the road and turn off the engine, the van will refuse to start back up again. I get ignition, but the engine doesn't roll over. After a couple of hours, it'll start right up again, like nothing ever happened. It's done this a half dozen times, but inconsistently. It seems to be about heat. Engine's hot, won't start. Engine cools down, it'll start. Any ideas on what's causing this, if it's difficult to fix, etc.?

earthmuffin · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:16 am Post subject:

At first thought, this seems to be a starter problem. Solenoids on starters can be affected by heat. Next time this happens, try and give the starter solenoid a little love tap while you have a lovely assistant turn the key. After time, wear, corrosion, etc, solenoids can be tempermental and you can get them to free up temporarily. If it is the solenoid, then it is time to start shopping for a new starter.

Stanagon · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:01 pm Post subject:

Sisu,

Does it the engine crank over when this happens?
If no, then try earthmuffin's suggestion.

If yes, it's not likely to be the starter. The air-cooled vanagons can have a hard start condition (engine cranks and cranks, but won't run) if the points in the distributor are not adjusted properly.

Give us some more details if you can.

Sisu · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:12 pm Post subject:

The engine does not crank. I turn the key and there's a faint electric hum, but nothing else. A couple of times when this has happened I've jiggled connections on the starter, but I haven't ever given it the love tap suggested. And I've done neither while an assistant turned the ignition, which strikes me as key. The van's in storage right now for the winter so I won't have an opportunity to field test the love tap for a couple more months.

A second thought, while I'm at it--on two occasions when the van has refused to restart, I've push started, popping the clutch to get it going. It started right up both times doing that. Does that tactic pose any serious risk to the engine or electrical system, etc.?

Stanagon · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:23 pm Post subject:

Pop starting the van is fine. It doesn't hurt anything.

It sounds like you may need a new starter. If you end up replacing the starter make sure all the wire connections are good and clean. Also, new starters usually come with a new bushing to install in the transmission bell housing. With a periodic starter problem you should really replace this bushing as part of the process.

Before replacing the starter you may want to check and see if the main power cable to the starter solenoid is in good shape. I had an '87 Vanagon that this cable rotted from the inside out. It looked fine on the outside but was corroded on the inside right at the starter solenoid connection. It would sometimes start and sometimes not, for awhile.

Mathew Zelezen · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:08 am Post subject: Any clues?

Hi there,
I'm experiencing the same starting problems with my 85 vanagon... were you able to determine that it was a faulty solenoid on the starter or was it something different?
I appreciate whatever help you can offer!
Thanks,
Mat

mightyart · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:41 am Post subject:

For hot start issues with aircooled Vanagons try this:
http://www.busdepot.com/busdepot/details.jsp?partnumber=WR1
For the 85, I don't know if this relay is the ticket, Last time I had problems with a "sticky" solenoid, It happened if it was hot or cold, It stuck whenever it felt like it.

Poor Realist · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:

Mathew Zelezen · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 4:35 pm Post subject:

Well... I checked out that site and it looks great... but... I didn't see anything for a water cooled Vanagon (which is what i have) does that make a difference or should I go for the "80-83 air cooled" kit???

mjamgb · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:03 pm Post subject:

Whoa!

Start by breaking and making the connections to the battery and starter. Use some vaseline on the connections when you reassemble.

It really sounds like either the starter isn't getting enough power or ...

The solenoid is shot.

Mike!

Tram · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:27 pm Post subject:

Not wanting to crank hot is a typical Bobby Bosch starter complaint.
Replace your starter with a real Bosch. I've gotten "bargain" parts store "rebuilt" starters that did the same thing on the first trip after being installed. The new Bosch ones seem to be A-OK.
You can use an automatic starter in any manual VW Vanagon if you don't want to screw around with the bushing, or if the hole in the bell housing is worn.
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