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Beetle not Starting

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brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645394
OK, this is driving me mad.
1974 Beetle, turn the key, nothing..
I removed the starter motor and when hooked up to power it spins, so no problems there that I can tell.
So I get a multimeter onto the big red cable under the back seat, and when the ignition key is turned it starts showing voltage, as far as I can tell that is the cable that goes to the solenoid thingy on the starter.
So now I'm really confused 🙁
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bertie_beetle Wolfsburg Wizard

446 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#645397
ignition barrel?

brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645399
nope, Ive checked the barrel 🙁
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brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645400
bah, just went out again with a multimeter and hooked it to the wire that goes into the starter solenoid, when i turn the key it jumps up to battery voltage, so maybe it is the starter motor, just puzzled why it worked when I had it out of the car. Mind you it didnt seem to spin all that fast
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68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645431
even though it may show the battery voltage,
if the ignition barrel/switch is worn out [and most of them are] You need to place a relay next to the battery or near the starter motor...

so the power going thru the ignition switch is usually enough to power a relay..
then all the power comes straight from the battery thru the relay to the starter motor..

another way of trying the starter motor..
This can be Dangerous...
so be careful... Handbrake ON
car out of gear -
jack up the RHS side rear of the car
then using a heavy screwdriver - touch the end of the screwdriver onto the large NUT the cable goes to and
the small contact at the same time...

If Your engine is OK..
and the battery and starter motor is OK
the engine May start...

Cheers

Lee

PS: I have started My beetle [auto] in gear many times..
from under the car.... not recomended..
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

V Wreck Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Apr 2008 ·

#645443
i had the same problem so i done the start it with a screwdriver thing and it worked so i found out my ignition is screwed
WANTED 1600TP IN GOOD CONDITION .MUST BE IN S.A. AREA

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#645444
check ya earth from the batt too..
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#645460
Brass bush in bell housing could be damaged????????
Keeping it real !

Brad Wolfsburg Elder

3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645491
when you turn the key is the starter solonoid clicking in and out showing that the ignition switch is working or is there nothing happening at all ?
Brad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australia

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645495
it will be the lower half of the ignition barrell its a plastic section with springs n contact point in it ( not the key bit ) they collapse and deteriorate over the years get a new one
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645506
Nothing happens at all when I turn the key, I don't even hear the solenoid click, and when I hooked the solenoid cable directly to the battery nothing happened either 🙁
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vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645507
OK so pull off the ingition wiring plug under the steering column and use a jumper wire to get innition and start the car poke a bare jumper wiring into the terminal hole


If this works then its the plastic plug below the ignition key there only about $40 new
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645519
Have tried that already, no joy. Is very frustrating!
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Brad Wolfsburg Elder

3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645522
what happens when you put a wire from the large battery lead on your starter motor to the solinoid wire ? Or just use a spanner / screw driver
Brad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australia

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#645569
Hi
If You tried the screwdriver onto the small terminal
and nothing happened
You solenoid is bad..
You can then try screwdriver across the two large nuts
IF that doesn't work...
it May be a bad battery..

or brushes in Your starter motor may be worn out..

or as someone suggested- if the bush in the bellhousing is badly worn, the starter motor may jam in the bush/ring gear.,.
I always tell people to grease the bush and end of starter motor...

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

brent Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#645570
Tried that, nothing happened, yet when the starter was out of the car it did work
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