No Start, No Crank Issue

[OldIronclad]

1968 Beetle, Was running fine until just recently. I've owned it for a few months and have just had it running around the block while I ironed out some issues with the brakes and shifter. Now I get no crank and no start ever since my last run around the block. Turn the key and nothing happens. If the speedo light is on and the key is turned to start a visible dimming is seen on the speedo.


All lights work fine. Battery has been checked and is good. All connections and grounds (including the trans ground strap) have been cleaned and checked. All fuses and connections in the starter circuit have been volt metered all the way up to where the key switch wire leaves the key switch and heads back to the starter. I get 12+ volts everywhere except after the key switch where it's registering around 8.5 volts. Ok, so that means that the key switch is starting to wear out.
Looking under the car, near the starter, I can see a relay. So I assume that's there to help the ailing key switch.

I haven't been able to get under the car to check the relay wiring or the starter. So, I'm assuming that's where my culprit is. I'm awful at wiring, so I'm hoping that's a safe assumption. Is there anywhere else I should be looking for potential problems as well? Is there anywhere else in the wiring harness that would cause this problem? We've just had a few weeks of very heavy rain and most of the reading that I've done said those relays should be out of the weather and possibly not bolted up next to the starter.

[Eric&Barb]

Have you checked that the starter is bolted in tight?

If it is, then time to remove the starter to clean, inspect, and polish clean the starter/transaxle surfaces that mount together.

Have you been using dielectric grease on each connection? Keeps corrosion away for a lot longer.

If still no go, would try replacing battery cables.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Cusser]

First: try a jump start, take battery in for testing under load.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[andk5591]

Second thing is to jump the big hot lug on the starter to the small terminal that the relay and switch are connected to. Obviously dont have the car in gear. If it cranks, then the starter is fine and you need to troubleshoot from that point back to the switch.

Also kep in mind that you can see 12V, but there may not be enough current flow to enegize the starter solenoid. Double check the condition of the connections. Had same issue on our buggy once. Went to jiggle the small connector on the starter and it literally disintegrated in my hand.
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Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
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[OldIronclad]

Thanks for all your help, problem solved. PO had extended the wire to the solenoid by just taping two male spade connectors together in an inconspicuous location under the car.

[Eric&Barb]

[Cusser]