Ghia will not turn over - Suggestions?

[C_reed]

Hi all,
Today I went to start up my Ghia and nothing. Just silence. The 2 red lights on the speedometer were on (oil and generator) and the headlights and inside lights as well as radio works fine.
Pulled out all my books and read about this. two options.
-Ignition Switch
-Starter/Solenoid

I connected a extra ignition I had and got the same lack of engine turning over.

So I assume its a Starter issue. Is their anything else I am missing?

Whats the easiest way to test my starter? I am new to starter issues.

I won't be able to work on this tell next weekend but thought I would spend the week researching and maybe picking up a starter.

thanks everyone for the help and time.
Cheers
-chris

[-Zodiac-]

http://www.vw-resource.com/starter.html
Read this, in the 'big click' section it shows you how to test the stater solenoid.
_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[squonk]

One other possibility, especially if you have anything stowed beneath the rear seat, or had done any work under there before the problem showed up, is the rectangular plastic connector that, at least in my car, transits beneath the driver's side of the rear seat. I knocked that loose one day when routing the decklid release cable, and it gave me the same symptom. Probably a long shot, but an easy thing to check off the list.
_________________
'71 Ghia cabriolet

[mountainkowboy]

My Vert did that......the starter sense wire fell off the starter somehow. Tightened the spade and put it back on the starter.......fixed.
_________________
Chuck in Socal
________________________________________

71 Super Convertible...DD
78 Honda CB750K
06 Honda CR-V (wifes)
63 IH Scout 80 "Beater"

[C_reed]

Thanks! I will look under the seat and under the car to see if any wire has come loose. There hasn't been any work done to the seats or underside as far as I know. That would be cool if its just that.

if not I will test the starter/solenoid.
cheers all. thanks

[C_reed]

Hi all
So I looked under the seats and no wires at all and nothing un plugged.

But I am not getting a "Click" like most sites say when you have a bad solenoid. So i measured the Voltage across the battery and it said 10.3 V.

I assume thats low and thats probably the problem. From a site I read that the voltage should be 14 or so on a full charge battery (but I don't know how that can be if its a 12V battery).

Do you all think its just a low battery? I don't have a battery tester but can pick one up.

I do not know how old the battery is. It was in the car when I got it in 2008.

thanks all
-chris

[iowegian]

[-Zodiac-]

If you've been driving it often than the battery should be charged enough for it to at least try to turn over. If you think the starter is messed up go whack it with a hammer.
_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[[email protected]]

ignore iowegian

you need a test light or a volt meter and a friend to turn the key. Make sure it is out of gear and ebrake is on. Climb under there and see if any volts are getting to the solenoid when the key is turned. Even with low voltage the solenoid still clicks. If there is voltage to the solenoid you can pull the starter and take apart and clean up the solenoid and put it back together. It's the permanent fix to wack it with a hammer.

[Zeen]

Ignore ptjjb after you ignore iowegian.

Until you get 12+ volts from the battery, further testing is a waste of time. Whenever there is a battery or charging problem, and the battery is more than four years old, the first step is buying a new battery. You've had yours six years, and the P.O. probably didn't replace it immediately prior to selling you the car.

But if you're an inveterate cheapskate like so many VW owners, at least verify it can hold a charge before wasting any more time.

Then move the fuel filter.
_________________
The consequences of your decisions should not be confused with fate.

[-Zodiac-]

from cheap vw owner, throw your battery in another car to charge it
_________________
1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives.

[C_reed]

Thanks all for the advice
-c

[c21darrel]

dont ignore Zeen.
Your battery is old.
A wise man once told me there are 2 things bad for a battery, use and non-use. If you dont drive your car regularly get a trickle charger.
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GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
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[Abscate]

10.3 volts for a battery is very low and won't pull in the solenoid, so you won't get a click. It's definitely a discharged battery and probably a bad battery too.
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.ssS!