Author Topic: Bug Won't Start (Read 1255 times)

blarneyman · « **on:** May 21, 2006, 08:13:11 AM »

I've been trying to get my daughters 73 bug running. It will run fine if I push start it but it won't start with the key.

Here is what I have checked:
I have power to the ignition switch, power to the starter (from the battery and ignition switch), grounds from the battery to the frame and frame to the transmission are good, I've replaced the starter. There is a small short somewhere that will drain the battery (55% drained in 6 days). I think this is the problem because there was never a problem with the battery going down before the starting issue. I'm thinking it is something ahead of the ignition switch due to it draining the battery with the key off.

Would the alternator have any affect on the car starting?

One small detail :blush: this car was hacked on by the PO :wacko:

James Buchan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2006, 08:27:52 AM »

What I have done in the past to find a drain on the battery is attach a mulitmeter to your main battery lead going to the fuse panel, then one by one pull fuses until the multimeter reading increases. Then the trouble shoot is narrowed down to that one circuit.

BUSDADDY · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2006, 09:18:45 AM »

Won't start with the key as in turn the key and not even a click? or won't start with the key as in crankcrankcrankcrank but no fire?

Alternator shouldn't effect starting but may drain a battery if wired wrong.

When you replaced the starter did it slip into the new bushing easily or did you have to draw it up to the trans with the bolts?

blarneyman · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2006, 05:33:38 PM »

Using the key - no click, no nothing. When I changed the starter I was able to push it up to the trans but it was tight. I think there was about 1/8 inch that I had to tighten with the bolts.

If the battery goes down with the key off, would there be any fuses involed in the system?

BUSDADDY · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2006, 07:07:07 PM »

Not even a click from the starter sounds like a problem between the switch and the starter. try jumping between the big terminal the battery cable connects to and the little one the red wire pushes onto on the end of the starter(car out of gear and blocked).

If it was hard to get in the last little bit it could be stuck in the bushing, but you would still get a click from the starter solenoid even if the starter motor won't turn.

Theres still a dome light circuit, headlight circuit, and power to the back of the ignition switch with potential internal issues as well as power to the alternator/ generator which could have internal issues as well.

Go at your fuse box with a test light with the key off and see which fuses are still live then connect a meter between the disconnected battery terminal and the battery and start pulling them out to hopefully find the offending circuit when the meter goes to zero. if pulling fuses doesn't work try disconnecting the wires to the alternator and then the ignition switch.

blarneyman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2006, 08:18:27 PM »

I think I found the short. The first wire I removed was the emergency flasher power. I'm going to give it 24 hours to see if the battery goes down. It is looking like the starter is another problem not connected to the short.