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car not starting
Yogie - August 19th, 2012 at 04:08 PM

I tried to start our 72 beetle yesterday and just a clicking from the starter motor. No problem I thought, just a flat battery. I put it on the charger overnight and still no good.

I hit the starter motor with a hammer in case it needs a tap to release it and still just clicking when I try to start.

Any suggestions on what else I can try?

Yogie

zocstar - August 19th, 2012 at 04:19 PM

Jumper leads.

beetleboyjeff - August 19th, 2012 at 06:38 PM

Sounds like the solenoid on the starter is gone. Shouldn't be too expensive to get fixed.

Bizarre - August 19th, 2012 at 07:38 PM

If you get a continual clicking it is electrical some how

If it is just the once, then could be the bushing

If you need a starter - let us know
I have a new one that I dont need

Yogie - August 19th, 2012 at 07:43 PM

Thanks guys. It is somewhere to start.

Cheers

Brett

vwo60 - August 19th, 2012 at 08:10 PM

The starter could be polling, the bush in the gearbox could be worn and this allows the comutator to touch the inside of the starter, common problem. to get the old one out i use a 12MM tap with a tap handle, it just taps a thread in the bush and pushes it out.

zocstar - August 19th, 2012 at 08:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Yogie
Thanks guys. It is somewhere to start.

Cheers

Brett


Start at the start!
All those ideas are right, but all might be waiting time.
What is the battery voltage while cranking?

trippa842003 - August 24th, 2012 at 12:17 PM

battery

tar76 - August 24th, 2012 at 06:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beetleboyjeff
Sounds like the solenoid on the starter is gone. Shouldn't be too expensive to get fixed.


I agree i had one use to use the hammer but after awhile the hammer was no good.

Yogie - August 24th, 2012 at 06:19 PM

I tried jump starting but no good there. The car starts fine with the clutch start and I hoped that may have freed up the starter a little but no luck there. I don't have anything to measure the charge of the battery so can't do that.

I thought it may be a frozen up solenoid or something which is why I pulled out the hammer for a go at it. The starter was new when I bought it and the car has only done about 6k since then.

Yogie

tar76 - August 24th, 2012 at 06:35 PM

Hang in there Yogie i'm sure we'll null it out!

tar76 - August 24th, 2012 at 06:38 PM

Can you get another battery on loan to try?

Yogie - August 24th, 2012 at 08:18 PM

I hooked up one of those wheel around types of battery that have jumper cables attached permanently to it for the jump start. It was fully charged and didn't work but I can probably get another to put in to double check though.

Yogie

Joel - August 25th, 2012 at 09:21 AM

Have you tried bypassing the ignition switch?

I wouldn't mind betting you just have the token VW worn igniton switch syndrome.

tar76 - August 26th, 2012 at 06:23 PM

How did you go Yogie?

Yogie - August 26th, 2012 at 07:03 PM

Was too busy this weekend to get in to the garage unfortunately so I will have a look next weekend.

Yogie

tar76 - August 26th, 2012 at 07:07 PM

Cool keep us posted

dstevenson101 - April 22nd, 2013 at 04:25 PM

I'm having a similar issue with my 71 bug...

Where should I start looking to bypass the ignition switch?

I want to try this because I don't even get a clicking at the starter motor, which suggests to be that power isn't even reaching the starter.

Thanks