My starter motor won't turn over - Ignition switch problem??

[68AutoBug]

My 68AutoBug hasn't been starting lately, actually about 6 months or more, every now and then, the dash lights dim slightly, I can hear the relay click and nothing....
after a few tried its OK and will be for the rest of the day...
Until today....
I used to blame the poor old neutral switch...
but I'm sure its not that.....
maybe there isn't enough current getting to the relay, due to an old ignition switch, or dirty contacts in the relay, or the relay isn't actually making the contacts..??
I'll investigate tomorrow and check all the relay connections and the solenoid etc... the relay is located above the starter motor...
I was always going to add another starter button hidden away somewhere but never got around to it....

with My Son's beetle, I added a large speaker plug socket under the rear seat, and gave Him a lead with a plug on one end and a push button on the other end... I don't think He's ever used it...

Now I wish I had one.....lol...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Cobey]

What happens if you jump the starter motor, bypassing the ignition switch?

[68AutoBug]

I haven't tried that yet, My Wife left the keys in the beetle last night,
so when I went to take the keys out late last night, I turned the key and it started immediately...
so its hard to fix a problem, when the problem isn't there....
the temperature is a bit hot at the moment to work on or under it, but I'll get to it soon, maybe later this After noon...

I've been wondering whether there is a loose wire??
but with the two lamps dimming when i turn the ignition switch on,
I'm not sure whats causing that....
unless it is the ignition switch itself....

Lee - 68Autobug - Australia -

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[68AutoBug]

I'm thinking now that because the contacts in the key start switch are old and burnt,
only a small amount of current is getting thru, and because its a bad connection... the lamps dim slightly...
although I do hear the relay, but maybe its the ignition relay???
which is under the rear seat...
and NOT the starter relay located under the car, above the starter motor..

but its not going to get any better....
so a push button switch hidden somewhere...

I remember back in the real early days of cars, the starter was on the floor...
some were a pedal or a large button etc...

lots of options...

Lee

[68AutoBug]

Well the car has started every time the past few weeks...
Now I have another problem....
I can't get into the bonnet of My car unless someone pulls the handle while I open the bonnet at the same time...
I have had a bonnet bib on the bonnet and that has been putting the bonnet under some pressure so it always opened with that on....
I recently took it off and found My problem...
so, the bonnet lock/spring needs tobe adjusted...
but I've always been aware, that if I adjust it too far, I won't be able to get into it at all...

cheers

Lee Noonan - 68Autobug - Australia -

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[johnr]

I had the same starting problem with my '71.  If I jiggled the key in the ign and cussed a bit,  it would usually start.
I finally bought a new switch, carefully and fearfully connected the wires, and no more problems.  There was one !extra! wire,  I just taped it off and stuck it behind the rest of the wiring.  
As for the bonnet, sounds like the lock isn't opening completely, or needs a bit of grease.       And thanks again for all your help when I was getting my auto-stick roadworthy!