Bad day with my Bug

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by seanlithman, Aug 2, 2022.

  1. Sorry I know it’s nota bay
    Got in the bug daily driver this morning with oldest son who slammed the door turned the key it went to start but didn’t then tried the ignition again and nothing just dash lights
    So I’m thinking spade connection come off fuse block or blown fuse but nothing there checked there. Was power to engine got. 9V at coil
    Thought solenoid so did the old hit it with a hammer whilst turning ignition he was late for work so we bumped started it no problem
    Got back home still completely dead on the key. Got under the beetle to check that spade connection on the starter it was well on
    I can only think the starter has gone ?
    I’ve heard you can bridge across the big nut connection with a screwdriver to see if the starter works
    Is that wise ?
    Any ideas
    I do have a spare starter motor
     
  2. DamonW

    DamonW Supporter

    Screw driver across the starter is fine to check - sounds more like ignition issue to me
     
  3. I'm more banking on ignition switch

    Beatles are a piece p!ss to hot wire.

    Early 60's - just open the front hood. Its all there.

    Late 60's - 70's, just pull the big 3 pin plug off, make up a 3 way wire "fork"
    You will work out easily which need connecting and which is to the starter

    just use the key for the lock pin
     
    snotty likes this.
  4. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    9 volts .. get a new battery, then fix the charging circuit. 9 volts cranking is dead. 9 volts static is FUBAR.
     
    Dub and Dubber and mgbman like this.
  5. The battery itself is showing just under 13V on the meter so I think it’s ok
    Doesn’t the coil drop the volts
     
    JamesLey likes this.
  6. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Positive side of the coil should have 12v+. Something's amiss if you're only getting 9 there.
     
    F_Pantos and mgbman like this.
  7. Agreed , basics first - check and clean all the earth connections...


    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
  8. That was my first thought as it started after door slam which may well have dislodged something
    The starter motor earths through the body basically when it’s bolted on ?
     
  9. I will check it again
    So I turn the ignition on put the metre on + and earth the meter I should be getting 12V?
     
  10. So the meter on the battery is giving me 12.35 meter on both sides of the coil with ignition on gives me 9.45V
    Interestingly with the ignition on I am only getting 10.8V at the battery
     
  11. Should I try afresh battery
     
  12. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I f you get 9 volts at the coil with ignition on and 10.8 volts at the battery you probably need
    New Ignition switch
    New Battery .. possibly .. by now its knackered.
    A good look at the charging system.
     
  13. You didn't hear the solenoid click, I assume?
     
  14. Well she’s running bit of a mystery so I put the battery from our old 1986 range rover in it and nothing on the key so I’m thinking must be ignition switch just to make sure I trashed the cable from ignition to the spade on the starter ( it’s red/black) disconnected it from connection under the bonnet and connected it to 12V on the fuse box terminals and it turned the starter motor
    Great the wires ok the starters ok must be the ignition switch
    So removed steering wheel etc took out the ignition barrel couldn’t see anything loose or broken thought turn the key and guess what it started great I thought
    Tried it a few more times gave it a squirt wd 40 kept starting so put it all back together
    Meanwhile had my beetle battery on the smart charger said it was good and full giving me a nice 12.8V on the meter
    So took out the big old tall Range Rover battery and put back my beetle one turned the key nothing again
    Put back the RR battery and she starts fine unfortunately it’s too tall for the compartment and might short on the seat springs
    All I can think is beetle battery knackard not making enough cranking amps ?
    It’s been a couple of frustrating days
     
    F_Pantos likes this.
  15. Good news, of sorts, at least you know the root cause :thumbsup:
     
  16. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Its almost certainly both a dodgy worn out ignition switch, WD40 wont fix that (pretty pointless in most cases) , the switch itself is an encapsulated unit full of grease. By now there will be big grooves burnt into the contacts.

    Because the battery has been left flat its also damaged by sulphation, the capacity drops off daily.
    Just because it shows a good voltage means very little, its the voltage while cranking that matters and a 95% sulphated up battery cant cope.
     
  17. Soggz

    Soggz An inquisitive supporter

    My van did exactly the same.
    A new ignition switch solved it.
    Easy to fix.:thumbsup:
     
  18. Our beetle does it all the time turn the key and wait in anticipation to see if the starter spins a bit like russian roulette.
     

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