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Starter or battery issue? Type3.
Gibbo - November 27th, 2004 at 03:23 PM

Afternoon all, After charging my battery all night I decided to give the squareback a run to keep it ticking over.

When I crank the key I get lights on the dash. Then nothing but a slight click coming from the engine.

I used to have an isue with the superbug where the starter jammed and wouldnt move unless you rocked the car, but ive tried that and no go so far.

Any ideas? Could it be a lack of power in the battery of a stuck starter?

Cheers

[Edited on 27-11-2004 by Gibbo]

vw54 - November 27th, 2004 at 04:40 PM

yep lack of power in the battery

See if you can clutch start the car then try the key again

Gibbo - November 27th, 2004 at 05:01 PM

Might just have to wait till I can buy / borrow a battery then, the car is in my driveway, we live on a hill, perfec you might think, but I dont fancy pushing it back up there again, plus its an auto.

Maybe I can jump start it, but I dont think you could get another car close enough, bugger.

vw54 - November 27th, 2004 at 05:04 PM

yeah OK no clutch do do that

so get the daily driven car and jump start it

also are all the terminal on correct n tight did u use a little grease on the battery terminals ??

check the starter terminals as well.

Gibbo - November 27th, 2004 at 05:11 PM

Terminal connections are fine, tight and greased, I get lights on the dash so current is getting through, but not enough me thinks.

Cheers, I will see how I can get another car close, will be a toughy.

pod - November 27th, 2004 at 05:51 PM

use two sets of jumper leads ,just keep them apart at the joins
:D

voltz - December 11th, 2004 at 07:01 AM

a nice quick way to tell if its a starter or low battery problem is to have the lights on while trying to crank, if the lights dim then its battery related,if lights dont dim then the starter is not drawing any power, a poor batttery terminal problem can also allow ignition lights etc but under load will drop out

Che Castro - December 11th, 2004 at 01:47 PM

did you say you charged the battery before you tried? If it clicks, that usually means there isnt enough juice for the solenoid to push far enough to start the starter motor. Could be the battery. To check, get a multimeter, battery should be above 13v if it is in good nick and properly charged. if below then it is probably not charging properly. When car is idling you want 14v or so at the battery for it to charge