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Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:04 pm

i have a 91 vanagon gl and the other day i tried to start it and nothing. the fuel pump kicks in and the battery obviously has charge cause all my electronics work. im pretty sure my starters bad but just looking for other peoples ideas thanks alot everybody!

Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:29 pm

Standard or Automatic? If it is an automatic, try starting it in neutral. When you say it is not starting, I assume you mean not cranking. In other words you turn the key and nothing happens? It is common for ignition switches to fail. If you are comfortable with automotive wiring, you can remove the lower column cover and unplug the ignition switch. You can jump across two terminals and see if the engine cranks. I don't recall the colors, one red, one red with black tracer. They are the two "heavy" gauge wires. If the starter works, you know it is most likely the ignition switch. You can also take a small screw driver and jump across the starter solenoid. Caution, make sure the transmission is in neutral or park and the hand brake is set before crawling under the van and trying to jump the starter. Someone else will recommend taping the solenoid with a hammer while someone else turns the key to start it. Regards

Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:40 pm

it is a manual transmission yes it is NOT cranking

Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:45 pm

So follow my tips above.

Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:05 pm

rsxsr wrote: I don't recall the colors, one red, one red with black tracer. They are the two "heavy" gauge wires. If the starter works, you know it is most likely the ignition switch.

How to Hotwire a Westfalia
Simply pull the plastic shroud off the column and remove the big black terminal plug off the switch.
Now put a jumper between the large red wire and the solid black wire (a bent paper clip works great). You should hear the fuel pump run at this point.
If you hear the fuel pump, leave that first jumper (large red to black) in place and place another jumper between the large red wire and the red/white wire. This is your starter wire.
The engine should turn over at this point. If the engine starts, remove the big red to red/white jumper immediately. If you don't remove this jumper, the starter will continue to run just like holding the key in the start position.

Like he said, if this works then replace the ignition switch.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_428_145/ignition_switch___electrical_portion.html

Do a SEARCH, there is lots of discussion on how to do it. Not too dificult but there is a trick.

Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:19 pm

thanks alot for the info