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Ignition/Starter Problem

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london_mike Learner Dubber

9 posts · joined Nov 2010 ·

#812777
Hi,
My '71 Beetle has had some problems starting. Lights, radio, etc. all come on - so battery is good; but when I switch ignition ON nothing happens. No clicking, nothing. Nothing I do seems to help (eg. wiggling the key around!), it just starts when it decides it wants to.

It started a few months back when it took two or three goes, - and I could live with that.
In the last week iit's started taking many more. I can be sat there for ten minutes turning the key until it works...

Any ideas? I'm thinking it's probably something simple (starter? solenoid?), but I need to get it fixed before it gives up altogether and I'm left stranded somewhere unpleasant.

TIA,
Mike.
'71 Type I Standard 1300

66brm Seriously Crusin Dubber

140 posts · joined Nov 2009 ·

#812781
Could be a couple of things, I would check the ignition switch contact firstly, I had an ignition switch go bad recently myself, turn the key and nothin turn the key again and away it went, this went on till it would no longer turn over at all🥲. The other thing to check is the starter solenoid and its connections

london_mike Learner Dubber

9 posts · joined Nov 2010 ·

#812782
66brm wrote:Could be a couple of things, I would check the ignition switch contact firstly, ... The other thing to check is the starter solenoid and its connections
Cool, thanks. So you think it sounds like an electrical contact issue?
Are the contacts I need to check easy to reach?
'71 Type I Standard 1300

66brm Seriously Crusin Dubber

140 posts · joined Nov 2009 ·

#812849
london_mike wrote:
66brm wrote:Could be a couple of things, I would check the ignition switch contact firstly, ... The other thing to check is the starter solenoid and its connections
Cool, thanks. So you think it sounds like an electrical contact issue?
Are the contacts I need to check easy to reach?
Just check for continuity with a multimeter in each of the switches settings, off should have nothin, all other should have power going somewhere. Is it dash mounted or column?

ancientbugger Custom Title Time!

1,986 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#812850
Also just double check the small wire on the starter motor is making a decent contact

london_mike Learner Dubber

9 posts · joined Nov 2010 ·

#813094
66brm wrote:Is it dash mounted or column?
Column. It's a '71.
Muir suggests it's a bugger to fix. 🙁
'71 Type I Standard 1300

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#813157
london_mike wrote:Hi,
My '71 Beetle has had some problems starting. Lights, radio, etc. all come on - so battery is good; but when I switch ignition ON nothing happens. No clicking, nothing. Nothing I do seems to help (eg. wiggling the key around!), it just starts when it decides it wants to.

It started a few months back when it took two or three goes, - and I could live with that.
In the last week iit's started taking many more. I can be sat there for ten minutes turning the key until it works...

Any ideas? I'm thinking it's probably something simple (starter? solenoid?), but I need to get it fixed before it gives up altogether and I'm left stranded somewhere unpleasant.

TIA,
Mike.
Most probably the ignition switch Mike...

If You connect a push button for the engine starting part
and You could still use the switch for ignition ON..

I have a switch to turn My engine over, which I normally do Use as I will have to replace the ignition switch at some time in the future and if the key won't start the engine I won't be stuck.. or My Wife won't be stuck.. lol...

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