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Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:14 am

Howdy!

My 1974 Thing doesn't get enough current to turn over. Turning the key, there's one "rrrRRRrrr" and it stops. The ignition gets power, but a clip run from the part of the coil that connects to the switch and a ground doesn't produce a light.

Am I right that the only two causes could be a bad ignition switch or a bad wire from the switch to the coil?

If so, it's easiest to replace the switch first, right?

How? I'm not sure if mine is unique in that there are dozens of wires. Can I pick this up at the local shop?

Thanks!

Jason

Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:26 pm

Use a Volt Meter and check voltage to determine the problem.

Problems could be:

battery
starter
wiring
ignition switch
timing of the motor

Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:32 pm

Hi Jason!

The current from the ignition switch also runs to the starter solenoid. So- does it turn and start if you use jumper cables? If you battery is near dead or the ground straps/cables are corroded you'll have very little current when you engage the starter.

Before buying any parts I'd suggest that you:

1. Make sure your battery has a good charge,
2. Verify the ground cables are solidly attached.
3. Using a test light or voltmeter, make sure you've power to the positive side of the coil when the key is in the on position. The positive side is opposite where the distributor is attached.

Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:29 pm

i have a problem with mine too when i turn the key it turns the motor but doesn't start but when i lay off the key it starts so what is the deal?

Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:45 pm

I had a similar problem.
It turns out that the key switch on my Thing had a crack in it. Sometimes when I would turn the key it would work and other times it would not.

In my case, and another I read about here, the reason the key switch was cracked was because it had been replaced with a switch from a Bug.
Most of the Bug ignition switches DO NOT turn as far to hit the starter circuit as the Thing does. (I learned this when I tried to replace the switch)
If you have a crack, make sure you replace the switch with one compatible with a Thing. If not, your new switch will appear to only work intermittantly simply because you have to turn the ignition key so hard to get the starter to go.

here is the forum topic where I documented my key switch saga:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=171463

alg

Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:04 pm

Oh, you wanted to know how hard it is to remove.

- Disconnect your battery. Do not do anything until you are certain this is done.
- Insert your key and turn a little. You have to ensure the steering lock is off.
- Carefully pull the connector off of the back of the ignition key lock. Old wires sometimes break easy if you do not pull on the connector.
- Take off the horn panel (where you press to honk. it just pulls off of the steering wheel).
- Take off the steering wheel. Its a ground connection and a big bolt.
- Take off the plastic steering column cover.
- Remove a screw which is under the plastic steering column cover and goes into the top of the keylock. This will take it off the steering column.

If you want to just get a new ignition switch part and try it, then you can do this without any disassembly. Just take the connector off the back of the key lock and plug the new switch into the connector. Turn the switch with a small screwdriver and see if it works better.
Check it again after you install it on the steering column to ensure you do not have a key lock that turn less than the ignition switch. This is how I found out about the problem.

alg

Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:27 pm

The cracked key switch is a common problem. Mine would cut out sometimes when i was driving....did it once on the fwy. That's when I decided to find the problem. I didn't know what it was until once day when it did it, I grabbed the key for some unknown reason, and voila! the car came back to life. I then figured out it was in that switch where the problem lied. Replaced the switch and all is good.

There is a key switch R&R write up on www.thingtech.com if it is still up. 73 & 74 are different and both were addressed on that site. That site was built by Thomas Ainlay...I wonder if he is still around and into Things?