Hi,

I have been driving around for about a year never had a problem before, and havent changed anything on the car at all. Then out of the blue I drove to my friends place took about 30 mins of driving then when I got there I stopped for 5 minutes...

then went to go back to the car to drive off and I turn the key to start it and nothing happens at all. All the electrics would come on, and i checked the battery anyway even though its new... wasnt that.

Ended up gettin my friend to push it while I had it in 3rd gear then popped the clutch after a few metres and drove it home. I park it in the garage, come back 10 mins later and try to start it to test and starts fine....

Im lost as to whether this will happen all the time now or just once a year haha.

Thanx for any info.

Perhaps a sticky solenoid, although if I were you I'd check the connections to the starter motor first.
A while ago the same thing happened, so I crawled underneath and found a loose signal wire. After I fixed it, she was fine.
This may not be your problem, but if it is you may just need a new terminal on the wire.
If there's no problem there, try the solenoid or whatever the others suggest.

make sure your start wire is on the starter...Its the small one

A quick check to do when this happens if turn the headlights on and have someone watch them while you turn the key to 'start', if they dont dull down it means there is no drain on the battery indicating the starter motor is not pulling in,check your connections etc as the other guys pointed out,if they are fine you can sometimes give the starter body a light tap while a helper holds the key on,if this works then its time for a starter service,if you still have trouble you may have voltage drop to the starter solenoid in which case get a relay fitted into that circuit.
hope this helps

The start part of the ignition switch could be a bit cactus. You can get new ones.

ok thanx for the info.

probably shouldnt ask since I have the manual here somewhere but is the starter motor accessible from underneath?

look under the drivers side rear of your car. its a cylinder that has a few wires on it

Hey all,
Ive got a simular prob at the moment, got home after being away for a couple months and jumped back in the bug. got my two red lights on the dash but NOTHING when i try to start. I'm figuring its the starter. Gave the soleniod a love tap but natta!

Pulled out the idiots book and read the bit about using a screwdriver on the starter to see if its the starter or solenoid which is cactus. After squeezing under the beetle, manipulating my arm into positions i didnt think was possible all i managed to do was make some sparks. Mind you i havent been able to make a good try at it as it was time to get back to work (the one that pays).

Im new at this so my question is; are the sparks a good thing, should i give it another go and see if i cant coax the starter to give a whir or give it another few love taps. Or better yet, try something completely different. Need to get her up and running again soonish as i've got to go away again at the end of the week for 4 months and we might be moivng whilst i'm away. need to know that they can get her on the back of a truck without some no hoper mishandling my baby!!!

In the mean time i'll try all the hints you've already given to wizardroadster

oh forgot to add. The key ignition on my bug was shot so previous owner rigged up switch and button setup. Any ideas how i can test to make sure its not this assembly thats stuffed

(damn i need a multimeter!)

undo the two wires from the button. Switch on your switch(make sure the car is out of gear) now touch the two wires together, if your engine cranks then your button is stuffed, which is not uncommon, I have gone through 3 of them. Go buy one from an auto leccy rather than supercheap as the quality is vastly different.

You may also find some interesting points at

http://www.type2.com/bartnik/tech.htm 

I included a relay at the starter motor as per an article at the above web site after my '82 camper decided not to start on a couple of occassions. Since then, touch wood, I have not had the problem.

had some more good fun, the car now stopped TWICE completely at the lights... tried to start it and started motor wouldnt turn over
So had to get out and push it in 3rd gear and then jumped in and tried to start it again and it went....

What i dont get though, I figured once the starter motor gets the car going it shouldnt effect the engine from just shutting off completely? it seems to be that anyway causing it....