73 super beetle WEIRD starting.

[Jeffpierce36]

Bought my 73 super recently. When you go to the start position it will crank and not fire. If you crank and move back to the on position it will start every time. What is wrong?

[Carguy1956]

Sounds like possibly needs ignition switch not key cyl but electrical part of switch

[VW_Jimbo]

Agree 100%
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Luft kühl]

Your ignition switch may not be wired correctly. Check the connections to make sure.

[ashman40]

'73 had the "X" circuit. This is similar to the black #15 ignition circuit with the exception that the "X" circuit is NOT powered while the key is in the START position. This causes the headlights and wipers normally powered from the "X" circuit to turn off while the engine is cranking. This gives current back to the battery while trying to start the engine.

There are likely three possible issues:

1) The ignition circuit (#15) is suffering from low voltage while cranking the engine. The starter is pulling so much current from the battery there is too little current to power the ignition coil. Test the battery voltage while cranking the engine. If the voltage at the battery posts drops below 11.0v while cranking this could be the cause. Also test the voltage at the end of the black #15 wire that connects to the #15 terminal of the ignition coil. The coil will stop firing reliably below 10.0v. Much of this voltage loss can be the 40yr old high resistance wiring in your car. This reduces the amount of current that makes it to the end of the wire.

2) Your PO wired the "X" circuit into the ignition coil circuit (#15). This is a workaround for a failed #15 circuit. Disconnect the black/yellow wire coming from the ignition switch to the fuse box (#10 fuse). Wrap it so it doesn't accidentally short to ground. This normally powers the headlights and wipers and not the ignition. If you loose all power to the ignition coil #15 terminal while the black/yellow wire is disconnected then you know the wiring has been swapped. If this was done to workaround a bad #15 circuit, the fix is to replace the ignition switch. If it was done accidentally, find the #15 wire from the ignition switch and make sure it powers the ignition coil wire.

3) The wiring is all connected normally, but the ignition switch internal contacts for the #15 (black wire) ignition switched circuit are worn out (burnt) and while the key is in the START position insufficient current passes thru the ignition switch. Disconnect the #50 starter solenoid wire below the rear seat (it is the red wire that exits next to the rear end of the center tunnel). Wrap the wire so it doesn't ground. This disables the starter. There is now no load from the starter. If the voltage on the #15 wire at the ignition coil still drops when you turn the key to START then the problem is IN the ignition switch.

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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[Jeffpierce36]

Thanks so much for the help. It was the ignition switch.