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General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: blarneyman on May 24, 2006, 07:45:30 PM

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: blarneyman on May 24, 2006, 07:45:30 PM

My daughters 73 beetle is having some wiring issues. There is a short somewhere in the car that drains the battery but doesn't blow a fuse. Also the car won't start with the key but I can push start it and it runs fine. The starter is new, there is power to both terminals on the starter (when the key is turned) but it doesn't do anything. The battery is 4 years old but tests fine and while the engine is running the alternator is putting out 13+ volts. I've checked the grounds to the frame and transmission. I've tried jumpering the starter solenoid and nothing works.

Can anyone help me out here. Anyone close enough to come by and take a look...... I'll buy the beer (your choice of brands because I don't drink)  ;)

I'm getting desperate. I've even thought about taking it to a shop but that will be a last resort. :blink:  

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: dods1600 on May 24, 2006, 07:49:55 PM

I had a similar problem where I had shorted the battery with metal touching one of the terminals, what I ended up doing is putting it on a charger for a bit I havn't had a problem in months..... it also wouldn't charge after I bump started it to get it home.

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: blarneyman on May 24, 2006, 07:54:08 PM

Not the case here. The battery has had the plastic cover over the positive from day one. No sign of any springs broken in the seat either.

I'm thinking the short and the starting issue are related some how but I just can't locate it.

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: Chris on May 24, 2006, 08:13:48 PM

try charging the battery up and seeing that it starts the car, then disconnect the battery from the car and leave it for a day or two and hook it up again and see if it still starts the car, have you have the battery load tested? Next is to check to see if the voltage is dropping quickly, can you watch it drain on a multimeter? if so leave the battery in and remove one fuse at a time until the voltage stops dropping

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: Hansk on May 24, 2006, 08:49:39 PM

Some of the new starters available today seem to come without the small  terminals mounted leaving you to decide which block to screw it onto. Either that or it has both terminals but you pushed your wire onto the wrong one. If the starter works and your battery has enough power you will be able to operate it by jumping from the battery cable (bolted onto the starter) and the correct small terminal. If nothing happens , your starter is no good.  

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: vwboop on May 24, 2006, 09:00:23 PM

I very recently had the push on connector on the starter for Gina's bus hooked up to the wrong side. It did exactly what you are describing (except for the battery drain). battery was excellent, tried changing the ignition, etc.. Switched the push on connector to the other side of the starter solenoid and it works great now.

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: captCRUNCH on May 25, 2006, 09:35:38 AM

so when you try to start it with the key, do any of the lights on the dash dim? a click or anything from the starter? are the bolts to the starter tight? it will cause the starter to jam if they are not. if its a standard starter, did you replace the bushing inside of the bellhousing? if all of these check out, i would take the starter back and get another and go from there. good luck

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: tanman on May 25, 2006, 02:36:13 PM

yea mine was similar to what cap'n is describing... i installed the new starter but it didnt work, so i took it out and did it again, making sure everything was good, not to tight, bushing was good, ect... it started fine

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: blarneyman on May 27, 2006, 07:10:13 PM

Quote

I very recently had the push on connector on the starter for Gina's bus hooked up to the wrong side. It did exactly what you are describing (except for the battery drain).

I feel stupid! Did the wrong side as well. Funny thing is, when I was putting the starter in I didn't even see the other post.
Good thing is.... the car runs! I think I found the short (thanks Bufferman for the PM) it was the regulator. I'm going to give it a couple of days to make sure. I still might have to replace the battery due to getting drained 4 or 5 times in the past 3 to 4 weeks.

My daughter was so excited, she asked to take her sister to a friends house. :D  

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: el_flechador on May 28, 2006, 01:47:44 AM

I can give you a hand pulling your hair out anytime you want.......i used to be good at uprooting turnips.....when i lived in a ditch :ph34r:  

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: bufferman on May 31, 2006, 09:56:21 PM

hey so did that fix your problem and is the battery still good

steve

Title: Pulling My Hair Out!
Post by: blarneyman on June 02, 2006, 11:12:39 AM

All is well! I owe you! I'll give you a call this weekend.
Thanks