Occasionally, my 69 will not start. Fustrating

[ddupre]

From time to time (Seems like it is becoming more frequent) my 69 will not start. I turn the key and oil light comes one and I hear just the faintest clicking sound, barely audible. Will not turn over, nothing...

I can push start it with no problem (but that gets old) and sometimes I can roll it a few feet and it cranks right up. What is going on. I have replaced the starter and battery. Please help.

[sb001]

Your ignition switch is going out, or you're losing too much current through the old wiring from back of car to front through ignition switch and back to starter.
Do a search for "hard start relay" one of these should help fix your problem.
Or something that worked for me, is to go under the rear seat:

a) find the wire that goes from the battery + to the voltage regulator B+ terminal, disconnect from the B+ terminal, then

b) find the plastic connector that the wire to the starter runs through on driver's side under rear seat, disconnect the wire that goes to the starter, then

c) touch those two wire leads together, engine should try to turn over (you are essentially making a direct connection between the battery and starter solenoid by doing this)
If the engine turns over, put everything back and then try to start the car with the key. I did this a few times when I was having your problem and eventually I stopped having a problem starting the car with the key.
_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[gt1953]

Do check all of the electrical connections associated with the starter, like right at the starter. The 68~69 ignition switch is the same and mine has failed several times. So I added my own switches. They never fail. Source out a good switch. It may be the rear of the switch has come loose from the housing it happens.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Q-Dog]

Why guess? It is so very easy to put a meter on the starter wire and test how much if any voltage is actually getting to the starter solenoid. If the voltage is low, try cleaning connections including the ground strap. If the voltage is intermittently non-existent, test/repair/replace the switch. Simple, and no guessing.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle