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apihor
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2015
Posts: 61
Location: Buena Park, CA
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 Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:00 pm Post subject: starting issues |
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Hey Samba,
I looked all over and I still cant figure out why my squareback wont start/ turn.
when I try to start the car, I can hear my fuel pump prime itself, but the starter wont kick over (it doesnt do anything). I replace the starter, battery, sparkplugs, and spark plug wires (all brand new).
can anyone assist me with this issue?
my next thought might be the voltage regulator. can that also be the issue? |
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raygreenwood
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 21512
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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| apihor wrote: |
Hey Samba,
I looked all over and I still cant figure out why my squareback wont start/ turn.
when I try to start the car, I can hear my fuel pump prime itself, but the starter wont kick over (it doesnt do anything). I replace the starter, battery, sparkplugs, and spark plug wires (all brand new).
can anyone assist me with this issue?
my next thought might be the voltage regulator. can that also be the issue? |
A couple of possibilities:
On type 3 and 4....that I know of....there is a single long wire that runs almost the length of the car. Usually in a gray sheath...that plugs onto the starter with a single female connector. As the sheathing ages it shrinks up....wire gets tight....pulls loose.....no start. Look for that.
Next.....if this is an automatic.....make sure its in neutral....and then pull the cover off of the gear selector number with the two screws on the cloor. Check the neutral safety switch in there. Ray |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4919
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:23 am Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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might just be the ignition switch on the way out, mine used to intermittently not want to start. When I changed the switch and added the hard start relay it's been fine since
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34002
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:49 am Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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When did this problem start? What work was done recently?
Check ground straps... if poor, they can conduct voltage for low draw items like the fuel pump, but fail at high currents like the starter/solenoid. |
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Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13270
Location: Tejas!
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sjbartnik
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011
Posts: 5994
Location: Brooklyn
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:06 am Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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The voltage regulator has nothing to do with starting. The spark plugs and spark plug wires also would have nothing to do with this particular issue.
Rather than guessing and wasting lots of money throwing parts at it, diagnose the problem.
1) check battery condition. What is your voltage reading between the two terminals on the battery? If it's less than 12.6v, the battery is discharged.
2) Since the issue seems to be that the starter is not activating when you turn the key to START, your focus should be there. First thing I would want to check is whether you get 12v on the wire that runs to terminal 50 on the solenoid when the key is turned to START. Check it and report back. If not, you have either a wiring problem or an ignition switch problem.
_________________
1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:59 am Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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| raygreenwood wrote: |
| apihor wrote: |
Hey Samba,
I looked all over and I still cant figure out why my squareback wont start/ turn.
when I try to start the car, I can hear my fuel pump prime itself, but the starter wont kick over (it doesnt do anything). I replace the starter, battery, sparkplugs, and spark plug wires (all brand new).
can anyone assist me with this issue?
my next thought might be the voltage regulator. can that also be the issue? |
A couple of possibilities:
On type 3 and 4....that I know of....there is a single long wire that runs almost the length of the car. Usually in a gray sheath...that plugs onto the starter with a single female connector. As the sheathing ages it shrinks up....wire gets tight....pulls loose.....no start. Look for that.
Next.....if this is an automatic.....make sure its in neutral....and then pull the cover off of the gear selector number with the two screws on the cloor. Check the neutral safety switch in there. Ray |
What year is your car? If it's a 68 thru 73, there's a red wire that runs under the carpet on the right side of the tunnel. There should also be a clear plastic rectangle connector under the passenger seat. It might have come disconnected there.
Like Ray mentioned, the early cars might have shrunk, disconnecting the starter solenoid wire from the starter. And AT cars do need to be in neutral to start (safety feature). It wasn't until 72 (I think) that VW allowed them to start in park.
It's also possible that you have an ignition switch (the electrical portion of it) going bad. These car getting to be almost 50 years old, and things do wear out.
I hope this helps.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
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apihor
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2015
Posts: 61
Location: Buena Park, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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Thanks Everyone!
So I have a 1971 Squareback Manual transmission. it was that cable that ran through the car ( it was splice and taped need the ignition switch by the previous owner). I think they tied to hot wire it. Also I just got it and I do not know anything about the history of the car.
Now I came across Another issue relating to my starting issue. I can get the starter to click now but nothing happen( the engine does not turn over). I did buy a new battery.
any Ideas? |
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17968
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:52 am Post subject: Re: starting issues |
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I bought a $5 Remote Starter Button at Harbor Freight that is handy for trouble shooting/working alone.
Buy a pack of alligator clips too as you'll need a couple for hooking it up to your starter.
Starter Switch is probably your faulty component?
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
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