Can someone offer some advice please? Our '74 beetle 1600 has a slow starter that sounds like it isn't able to turn over properly. Sounds slugish. Battery is fully charged now and it seems to be an intermittent problem. Have it up on blocks with easy access to area but can find only one bolt to remove from the engine block housing at the seven o'clock position, the other one at the one o'clock position is rounded. Is it accessable from within the engine Bay???

yes as thats where it is undone its one of the four engine bolts

Where in the engine bay is it and do I have to remove the fan shroud to get to it?

its located between the firewall and the rear of the fan shroud... reach down between them with one hand and a spanner to undo the nut.

The bolt should be half rounded...

the nuts are 17mm from memory...

You need to look behind the fan housing...
for the two nuts...
I have no trouble undoing them etc....
apart from jamming your hand down there...

Some people think its too difficult and remove the fan housing to get at them...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

Hi,
the problem may be the key ignition switch...
these get burnt with the current going thru them..
Waht You need is a Relay mounted near the battery or above the starter motor....
then the power just goes from the battery to the starter motor...

You can also test the strater motor by shorting out the two Large terminals on it...
with a large screw driver...

if the starter is OK, it will turn over quickly...
naturally You have to be careful doing that...

cheers
Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 
.

you might need the starter rebuilt or a new one , the most easy way to see it is lay under the car looking up between the motor and where the motor joins the gear box you will see the startor motor with some wires comming off it , You will see a thick red one , its one of the main ones.

the most common cause of a slow starter motor is the bush in the transmission housing,this is accessed after the starter is removed,have the starter serviced by an auto electrician and replace the bush.90% of the time this rectifies the problem. The ignition switch normally does not give a slow starter operation,more likely an intermittent operation or clicking when operated.

yer get it rebushed and should be fine.

I am wondering about the obvious. Have you checked all terminals are clean and tight. This includes the place it attaches to starter. That bolt by the way is easier to remove if you jack up the wheel on backdrivers side, remove wheel and twist yr hand in some weird contortions. I am an expert at it now.