TheSamba.com :: View topic - ignition wont turn over engine but push starts fine HELP!

Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:49 pm

i drive a '74 super beetle
OK SO, my dilema is that i have no idea what is wrong with my ignition system.
about once a week i go to turn on my engine and all i hear is a BUZZ from under the dash, electrics work, radio,lights etc. but when i try to start it, the lights just dimm and all i hear is the buzz,very inconvienient, but after that it usually starts up fine after that,hearing this buzz but the engine turns immediatly after.

but on the ocasion, all :( i get is the buzz.
happened to me on a date so i need help asap

i cleaned the battery connections and made sure all conections were clean buti am stumped,
starter?ignition switch?ignition cylinder(the key part)?,wiring?

i just want to find out WHAT the problem is rather than replacing all of these components

Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:52 pm

It Could be your starter gone bad, first do the easy thing. Check the voltage drop on your battery.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:55 pm

so check the voltage as i start it? cuz i had the battery checked out at kragen and they said it was doing great

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:35 pm

my guess would be starter solenoid. they start acting up like that when they are going bad

2 ways to check

when it doesn't start go under the car at hit the start a couple times with a hammer or something and try again if its starts then ...get a new starter

or when it doesn't start use a screwdriver to make a temporary short between the big red wire at the starter solenoid and the other nut on the starter solenoid (make sure the car is in neutral and e brake on!) this bypasses the solenoid and should start it. again get a new starter.

I may not have explained this well but you could probably find a picture and a better trouble shooting explanation in this forum somewhere.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:42 pm

thats i really appreciate this, keep the suggestions coming! im beeing told its the ignition switch.....:/
how would one know which one has something wrong?

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:50 pm

take the starter out. Its a 10 minute job tops and take it to kragen, they can test it for you and tell you what's wrong with it as well as get you a new one with a lifetime warranty.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:24 pm

Seat belt interlock

Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:02 am

whats the deal with the seat belt interlock?