TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed May 07, 2008 5:19 am

Hi, again. This problem happens from time to time. 99% of the time the car will turn over(56 oval) and start 2-3 3rd time. But then sometimes you turn the car (the lights are on)
and nothing, this even happens after the cars has been warmed up or gone on a run . Now i dont believe it to be an ignition problem. Which leads me onto the starter motor. It happened last night late and i was killing the neighbours with the noise. I rocked the car back and forth and got it started which maybe corrected the magnetic field. But until i go and deleve into the engine, this car also has had the choke removed, which is going to possibly cause starting issues anyway. Has any one had this before. cheers

Wed May 07, 2008 2:18 pm

Age old problem with VWs. You need to install a hard-start solenoid on the starter. This will fix the problem for good.

Wed May 07, 2008 4:30 pm

what actually causes the problem though is it a tired starter or what...

Thu May 08, 2008 10:54 am

cheers.

Thu May 08, 2008 11:47 am

i have fitted a solid state version of this if anyone is interested .I had rewired my start circuit and this still made a noticable difference.It helps because you have a shorter piece of cable from your battery to your solenoid .Normally a cable goes from your battery to your start switch and all the way back to your solenoid .Volt drop can occur in the cable and the start switch if they are old.Fitting a relay should help.

Thu May 08, 2008 5:15 pm

An easier way that I have found useful to deal with a hard-starting old Beetle is to carry a can of "CRC Engine Start" which is available here in New Zealand (not sure if it is in other countries, but I'm sure there will be similar products). This is basically ETHER in a spray can form. I simple lift the air-cleaner top by flicking back the 2 clips & spray the stuff into the top of the air-cleaner canister, then clip back the top, jump in the car & it will normally start on the 1st turn of the key.

Thu May 08, 2008 7:19 pm

Better to find the real cause of the problem. You might just need a new starter or starter bushing, or even new battery cables. Also going through the wiring and testing for how much voltage is getting through as to compared to the voltage at the battery.
Just adding a hard start relay only improves the voltage going to the starter solinoid. Fixing the real problem results in a more reliable VW that has faster wipers, brighter lights, and louder horn!

Fri May 09, 2008 5:24 am

Eric&Barb wrote: Better to find the real cause of the problem. You might just need a new starter or starter bushing, or even new battery cables. Also going through the wiring and testing for how much voltage is getting through as to compared to the voltage at the battery.
Just adding a hard start relay only improves the voltage going to the starter solinoid. Fixing the real problem results in a more reliable VW that has faster wipers, brighter lights, and louder horn!

Amen! As many know I BELIEVE that the relay is just a band-aid that masks other problems that will return later. FIND the real problem and FIX it. After you have done that, if you still need the relay, put it in. (you won't need it, there is a reason why the cars didn't come from the factory with relays>...)