Beetle started to just go very very slow on turnover when trying to start it. So Slow in fact it would not start. I charged battery, thinking it must be flat as thats how it sounds. but then would not even turn over. I think solenoid got stuck so managed to release it and with fully charged battery still the low hardly turns over symptoms again? Changed battery with Kombi battery and still the same, though kombi starts well on battery from beetle.
Does this mean my starter motor has gone again or could it be something else.

Sounds like the starter motor, I had the same thing happen to my bug, so I had the solenoid replaced by a local suto-sparky and it's all good...

you can get the NRMA to come out and check, or using a screwdriver connect the 2 contact points on the solenoid and if the starter motor whrrss its all good, so then go between the connection from the battery and the cable from the ignition and if you can get it cranking it means the solenoid.

You guys know a lot more than me, but i do remember that my starter motor went once and to get it to work i had to put it in gear, let the handbrake off and rock it a bit....then it would work again.
Probably no help at all, but thought i'd mention it!

I tried the screwdriver trick and apart from burning most of the point off screwdriver there was no whirring. So looks like yet another starter. Think I will buy a recon this time as second hand turned into false savings. I was just surprised when it did turn it was just like a flat battery turning. I would have thought it would have turned its usual fast self or not at all. Thanks for help and any more suggestions are welcome
And dknee thats yr cuz solenoid got stuck, but unfortunately although that is also happening with mine. Its just not turning it over fast enough when unstuck.

Most likely worn brushes and a worn bush in the transmission causing the starter to pole .Take the starter to an auto electrician and he will overhaul it,but don't forget to do the bush also check your cables including the earth to the transmission.

DAMMMM Grumble That sounds like engine removal

nope not engine removal time ,just starter motor,you get at it from under rear drivers guard and in the engine bay

Yes disconnect the battery,undo the R/H upper engine bolt,battery cables and then the lower starter bolt,take the starter to the auto elec,then using either the bush puller if you have access to it pull the bush.If you don't have the puller drive a small screwdriver between the bush and the trans housing to split the bush,then remove it carefully with long nose pliers,the new bush is then driven in using a drift or a bolt of the appropriate size. It is better to remove the heater tubing to allow access.Cheers

Check out Cranky kits, I just got fed up with buying starters all the time, bought a cranky kit and never looked back.

Got a link for Kranky kits? My google searches are not very helpfull

BUMP Anyone got a link?

My google found it fine
http://www.crankykits.com.au/

Wow... thats a little pricey... but I guess it must work better.... anyone use this kit?

So does this still mean I have to remove bush? Also which of two available should I buy for a 71 1800cc superbug. I want to give this system a try.

CK002

looks like it may be self suporting (doesnt use a bush) but double check
if its not then you still need to replace the bushing

anyone know if auto EJ starters are the same as manual?

I'd say, that comutator needs cleaning and the brushes to replace...