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Wed May 07, 2008 6:16 pm

Hey guys, little new here and need help from the Gods. Today I put a new battery in my 64 bug. Just bought the car and it ran at time of purchase. The problems began when I hooked up the battery WRONG. I glanced at the cables one red one black so, I assumed that I was good. Tried starting the car with no results. Then I noticed the cables being hooked up wrong. Switched the cables and tried to start. A loud "poof" or fuse blowing sound came from the back of the car. Then nothing worked for a bit. Turned the key over to ACC and the lights and everything works except turning the starter. Did this twice with the same result. What do you guys think?? I think it may be the starter solenoid. Any help will be greatly appreciated.........Kevin

Wed May 07, 2008 6:18 pm

starter solienoid, check the voltage reg to, that may have been the pop you heard

Wed May 07, 2008 6:19 pm

Where is the regulator located?

Wed May 07, 2008 6:22 pm

6v or 12v?

Altenator or Generator?

Wed May 07, 2008 6:27 pm

12v and I don't know if it is a ALT or GEN

Wed May 07, 2008 6:31 pm

by looking at pics of alts and gen it looks like a alternator

Wed May 07, 2008 6:38 pm

OH NO!!!, YOu probally burnt the altenator all to hell, it looks like you may need a new altenator, and I would probally check the very first fuse on your fuse box, the one closest to the drivers door.

Wed May 07, 2008 6:54 pm

The fuse is good. What is the box that is mounted next to the starter on the body? Starter wiring goes into it. I also took the wiring off the Alt and tried it again with the same results. Would that test the Alt?

Wed May 07, 2008 6:56 pm

Hard start relay, you can cross the wires using a long screw driver, to short it out, and that would determine your problem.

Wed May 07, 2008 7:03 pm

Euro could the hard start be the culprit?

Wed May 07, 2008 7:55 pm

Yes, I have had 6 of those fail, I usually get rid of them

Wed May 07, 2008 8:01 pm

I went on to Pacific Jbugs and looked at the hard start relay. It does not look like mine. Mine is allot larger than the little plastic one I saw. Could it be just a start relay?

Wed May 07, 2008 8:09 pm

Where is the ground at that is going to the Trans located?

Fri May 09, 2008 3:19 pm

Bump.... Still need help :D

Fri May 09, 2008 4:06 pm

Two types of hard start relays. One is just a heavy duty relay, looks like a foglamp relay. The other is often called a "solenoid" (not to be confused with the VW solenoid which moves the starter into the flywheel), and was used on American cars for much the same purpose-- to ensure full voltage and current to the starter/solenoid assembly. This latter type is overkill for the application, and in fact many (including myself) don't like either of them, except in certain circumstances. They add many more wires and connections which can fail, especially if they are mounted under the car where dirt and water can corrode the connectors. They are really only needed if you have an old 6V Bus, or a car with a rare and flakey ignition switch; in the latter case you are avoiding sending solenoid current through the fragile ignition switch. but if you do that, install it under the back seat inside the car. More often than not, replacing and soldering the existing conenctors will fix hard cranking problems.

Fri May 09, 2008 5:45 pm

Cool thanks for the info. Can I by-pass the solenoid next to the starter and be alright?

Fri May 09, 2008 9:35 pm

satin64 wrote: Cool thanks for the info. Can I by-pass the solenoid next to the starter and be alright?

Be careful what names you use. On a VW the "solenoid" is the cylindrical thing (about the size of the ignition coil) that is bolted to the starter, and does two things: first, it moves the starter gear into mesh with the flywheel, and second, at the end of its travel, it connects the high-current cable to the starter motor so it turns.

Some call the "hard start trelay" a "solenoid" and on a VW that is incorrect.

So to answer your question, the solenoid must stay, the hard start relay can be removed and the car rewired as God and Ferdinand intended.

But if your alt is blown, fix that first.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:32 pm

What's up? Hey guys I still cant get the car to crank. I have replaced the starter, battery(twice) and also cleaned the grounds. When I turn the key I get a little electrical sound and a spark at the battery on the positive side. The battery has 12.97 volts and when the key is turned I get under 3-4 volts. Also, when I hook up some jumper cables the car will start. I am lost. Please help

Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:16 pm

when you try to start the car look at your battery do you see any sparks ?
also where are you putting your volt meter leads, if you have them on the battery posts then you have a bad battery if its dropping that low if your leads are on your cable you may have a bad connection at your battery I always like to check the voltage off the cable itself to make sure you have a good connection and then go from there

Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:44 pm

Boom wrote: when you try to start the car look at your battery do you see any sparks ?

Yes there is a spark at the positive post. Its a brand new Optima. When I turn the key sometimes it does not light the gauge. Maybe the grounds? This is ridiculous.