Bought a new 6v battery, installed into car - get headlights/radio/wipers/dash lights - but only a click when I try to start.
Cleaned all connections, earth point on body for earth strap, no change. Just a a click.
However, car will start and then run if I jump start it with a spare 12v battery i have here. I then drive the car around for 30mins or so, come home, try and start after shutting down - just the faint click again.
What are other things I should consider looking at to fault find?
The new battery is a Supercharge (model N03) 6V 250CCA, is this not enough?
ian.mezz ·
Is the new battery fully charged
???starter motor or starter motor bush in gearbox worn.
Craig Torrens ·
do you have the earth strap from the gearbox to the chassis ? Is it in good condition ?
AyeBee ·
Thanks gents, will have a look - worst case I'll take it to a auto elec.
Cheers
Lucky Phil ·
ian.mezz wrote:Is the new battery fully charged
A new battery will only be half charged at best.
Considering the low voltage to start with, any voltage drops in the system will be more noticeable. I would give the battery a really good charging before anything else.
AyeBee ·
Thanks Phil - it's on charge as we speak, crossing fingers that's the cause.
AyeBee ·
Battery fully charged, still doesn't start. Was hoping it was as simple as that.
Time to start looking at starter/solenoid and look for this other earth strap.
Sides ·
OK, I'll be the one that asks the dumb question... it's definitely a 6V system in the car still, yeah ???
AyeBee ·
I hope, it's what the previous owner told me it was. My first VW so not really sure what Im looking at, it needed a jump start to drive it home when I bought it.
How do I check whether its 12 or 6 to make sure?
Sides ·
Ahh, right - fair enuff.
A decent pic of the engine bay we might be able to tell... if it's been obviously converted to 12V with a different generator or regulator setup for example.
Best way to be 100% is to get the engine running (jump start it if needed) and then measure the Voltage coming out of the Generator... basically get a multimeter and measure the Voltage between the main charging cable (D+) and Earth.
👍
btw - if it is a 12V converted car... giving it 6V I'm surprised the starter would even go click !!!
😉
AyeBee ·
Just checked, got a 6 volt coil so guessing its definetly a 6 volt system.
Thanks for everyones help, its booked into an auto electrician for tomorrow morning - will let them sort out the issue.
Sides ·
Hmm, yeah - 6V coil doesn't necessarily mean a 6V system, but no worries - your auto sparky should be able to sort it out for ya !!!
😎
ratty 63 ·
my money is on a worn starter and/or bush.... 👍
R 🙂
AyeBee ·
Engine bay
ratty 63 ·
yep - 6 Volt. 👍
R 🙂
AyeBee ·
Ta.
AyeBee ·
ratty 63 wrote:my money is on a worn starter and/or bush.... 👍
R 🙂
BINGO!! Was a worn starter.
Sides ·
Cool - good you've gotten it sorted !!!
👍
ratty 63 ·
Great news. 😁
R 🙂
AyeBee ·
Wouldn't read about it though... driving home from the auto electrician this afternoon - accelerator cable went, car had to be towed. Ah the joys!
ratty 63 ·
Should have just grabbed the spare one from under the seat and fitted it right there and then.... you do have a spare one don't you? 😁
It wouldn't be a VW if it didn't test you from time to time....
Perhaps it would be a good time to invest in a spare clutch cable... I have a spare of both accelerator and clutch cables stashed under the back seat of my '63 Bug, along with a spare set of points and a spare condenser. Haven't needed any of them yet... but that is only because I have them with me 😂