Delayed engine start

[Nickel_Nackel]

Hi,

This past few months my van has been having Starting issues.

I've noticed after longer drives (2-3) hours I'll park it let it sit through the night and then in the morning I'll try to start the van but the key just turns with no turn over. The bat is fully charged and all my lights come on.

I'll turn the key but it will delay. Held the key to start and nothing. But keeping it held there for about 7-10 seconds she fired up. (feel like it's getting worse).

My thinking is it's the coil since mine looks stock. But I don't know, That's just my first guess.
Hopefully this is enough info for somone to point me in he right direction

Thanks
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1985 1.9L Potato

[riceye]

So, as you hold the key in the start position for 7-10 seconds, the starter is not turning?

If this is the case your coil is likely not involved. I would be more suspicious of any wiring associated with the starter solenoid. Be sure to check the spade terminal connection on the solenoid. Those can waggle loose and give intermittent starts, particularly when hot.

Other things to check would be the electrical portion of your key switch and the park/neutral switch on your gearshift if you have an automatic trans.
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'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads

There's gonna be some changes made.

“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee

"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig

[?Waldo?]

I would suspect the starter solenoid. That's a classic failure mode.

[riceye]

I've got a legit deja vu going with this thread. We've been here before...
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'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads

There's gonna be some changes made.

“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee

"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig

[Wildthings]

What you are doing it waiting for the soleniod to heat up enough for the aged grease to loosen up a bit. Time to lube the solenoid. The high current draw in the solenoids "pull in coil" may well have damaged your ignition switch by this point as well, put a new one (or 2 as they are cheap) on your shopping list.

[oceanair]

Diagnose it with tests. Check for voltage at the solenoid IF it's getting there at 12v then it's the starter. If not, it's the switch for the auto trans if you have one, or the ignition switch. If you have the auto check for voltage at the switch, or, while holding the key in the cranking position, wiggle the stick in P or N and see if that gets her turning over. If you don't or it doesn't make difference, check ignition switch.

Just going backwards from the source. Mine was a pain because it was the relay that most people say add and it's what failed 2 years later. It still clicked but didn't work, so if you have a relay, check it too. No more starter relay for me!

If it is your starter, I highly recommend taking it to a local auto electrics shop and get her all tuned up. Better than made in China crap at the FLAPS. Plus it's local and simple.

Good luck!
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!