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?

Is the new battery fully charged
???starter motor or starter motor bush in gearbox worn.

do you have the earth strap from the gearbox to the chassis ? Is it in good condition ?

Thanks gents, will have a look - worst case I'll take it to a auto elec.

Cheers

Thanks Phil - it's on charge as we speak, crossing fingers that's the cause.

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.

OK, I'll be the one that asks the dumb question... it's definitely a 6V system in the car still, yeah ???

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?

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 !!!

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.

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 !!!

my money is on a worn starter and/or bush....

R

Engine bay

yep - 6 Volt.

R

Ta.

Quote:

Originally posted by ratty 63 my money is on a worn starter and/or bush.... R

Cool - good you've gotten it sorted !!!

Great news.

R

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!

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

R