Start / Turn Over Issue - Type 1 - '79, Fuelie

[abl1111]

Need help with troubleshooting my '79 Type 1 FI with sporadic start-up:

New battery. Car is not used often but started every month or so.

Car will not turn over after sitting for awhile. When I turn key, I hear fuel gurguling in fuel tank so I believe that fuel pump is operating. But no turn over.

When I do a quick charge, she'll start right up.

I would normally think: battery dead via alternator going and or drain/short in car.

However, recently I was at a car dealership and the car would not start - a commercial portable 12V charger did not help. Luckily I was able to get a push start.

Which then made me think that either the key/ignition switch is going bad or the starter solenoid is going bad.

Is there a way to narrow this down to the real problem...

Thanks.

[Marc]

When it's acting up (not cranking) observe the warning lights in the speedo. Do they dim when the key is turned to the crank position? If not, the switch is definitely bad.

[abl1111]

Prior to your response, I went in garage and tried to turn her over - she did not turn, so I put charger on a 10 amp charge and she did not turn. I got your message, went back to start her and she started - so I did not get a chance to see check the 'idiot lights'.

Frustrating ! Now I'll charge her up. Is there an easy way to test for an electrical drawer that is killing the battery ?

It's a b*tch because I can't drive and park the car --- unless I find a decent hill !

The last time this happened on the road, I had been driving for 30 minutes, high speed. Parked her for an hour and she would not turn over ( this was at the car dealer )...

Note: New battery clamps on...

[Jim Ed]

Need help with troubleshooting my '79 Type 1 FI with sporadic start-up:

New battery. Car is not used often but started every month or so.

It is best to start it at least once a week, turn the brights on and off and step on the brakes a few times.
Drive it once a week if you can.

[abl1111]

What is the best way to troubleshoot / test for a draw on my battery ?

I tried the 'Idiots Guide' - ' disconnect the ground strap and see if there is a spark when I touch bare metal ' - no spark...

[Jim Ed]

Need help with troubleshooting my '79 Type 1 FI with sporadic start-up:
New battery. Car is not used often but started every month or so.
Car will not turn over after sitting for awhile. When I turn key, I hear fuel gurguling in...

My ‘73 beetle had a similar problem.
If it still has the original wiring harness it might be time for one of these:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D3516%2D11

When the wiring harness gets old, it deteriorates on the inside and makes it hard for the current to pass through.
The hard start relay is a quick fix for that.

You might also need to replace the electrical part of the ignition key switch.

Here is a link about how to test for battery drain:

http://www.vw-resource.com/battery.html#drain

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http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/htm/eng_strt.htm

http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

[abl1111]

Haven't had a chance to check this out, but I will after The Bird - I'll let you know how it goes. Thx