Yes the thick cable to the solenoid looks like its original whilst the gearbox earth strap has been replaced fairly recently with what looks like a similar sized (battery to solenoid) cable. Hah, yes they do, even if your hands and the part you're working is well away from your face, small bits will invariably drop into your eyes, mouth or even ears. Not just restricted to VWs though old MGs have the same habit.
Inactivity caused by flu virus, Christmas and New Year has restricted time available to sort this. All connections checked and most were clean but the positive terminal clamp looked original so I took it off completely. It's made form lead and was pretty corroded on the inside (and very grubby on the outside) and the retaining clamp was rusty inside and out. A fair while later, a file has removed most of it but it is past its best so a replacement has been ordered from Eurocarparts for £1.13 incl postage; we'll see if it's any good when it arrives. The copper cable has also been cleaned and doesn't look too bad but I may bite the bullet and order a new complete cable from Cool Air if the new clamp doesn't make a difference - it's starting well now, more or less on the first couple of cranks but it's not as cold as it has been. As a matter of interest what does the additional fly lead on the Cool Air battery cable attach to as the current one on the van is missing it?
yes it is rather horrible isn't it? It was fitted by John at 81a 5 years ago (I think it's a JK one) and to be fair it's been ok - so far. Seems to be running ok since a fuel filter change so we'll see
I gave one away when scrapping an Alfasud many years ago - forgot to remove it before the car was scrapped!