Starting problem

Hello

I wonder if someone can offer some advice please,

Sometimes, usually when going to start my Beetle after it has stalled, it refuses to start,
sometimes when starting it, it will stall when cold,

When it refuses to start, all I get is a loud "click"

The engine does not turn over at all.

It seems to start again after moving the gear lever around, turning the key on and off, although this may not actually be fixing it, as I have also found simply leaving it for a few minutes then turning the key again and it starts.


It's like when you don't have enough battery charge and the starter motor is going "click" and that's it.


The car does start very easily, probably the easiest car I've ever owned to start, Seems to fire straight up.



Is this a starter motor issue?


Thank you for any advice or comments.


Car is a 1965 1200 Beetle

sounds like earthing problems and dirty terminals check Lees post re earth straps

start at the battery and remove n clean all the terminals and lightly grease the battery

also sandwich the main lead to starter between 2 washers for better contact

you may need a new starter is it still 6v or are you puming 12v through it

As above or the small cable on the starter solenoid, and its other end on the ign switch, or for that matter, the big red power cables on the h/light switch too, they all feed the ign switch.

Ah yes sorry forgot to add that, its 6v still,

thanks I'll check into that, should have thought of cleaning the battery.


thanks for your help.

🙂

and the earth point on end of battery cable also fit large washer

so what did you find

vw54 wrote:so what did you find

ah yes haven't had a chance to look yet, going to have a look today or tomorrow.

I have 3 other cars to use so not my daily driver.

Will report back, thanks.

vw54 wrote:so what did you find

Ok, I've cleaned the battery terminals and connectors, wasn't too bad. I think I know what my problem is, or where I need to start.

Ignition switch,

as my car is wired up to start from a button under the dash, the key turns on to accessories (red and green lights on) then you have to press the starter button.

I am going to find and fit a new correct ignition switch, to get the car starting the way it should anyway, and this might fix this issue, and go from there.


thanks.