Aircooled VW South Africa

I have been using a 6 volt starter in my 63 bug since like forever (rest of car converted to 12 volt!). It now decided its had enough of the extra volts I think!
Is it possible to install a 12volt without any mods? I hear there is possibly a flywheel issue? Not enough teeth on the 6 volt flywheel? Can I replace the solenoid only with 12volt and try this as maybe it is the solenoid only that is kaput?

Your ideas is appreciated!

You might be able to fit a relay to drop the valtage down to 6volts, but I think the starter might just need to be cleaned and serviced. Remove, strip and clean it. You will be able to see if the brushes and bushes need to be replaced. At the same time you can check the armature to see if it has thrown any lead. Polish it up with 1000grit water paper and clean the groves out aswell. You might be lucky and beable to solder it yourself. Remember to check the bush in the bell housing as wear and tear on this bush could cause the starter to drag (slow cranking like the battery is flat). If everything looks good re-assemble, re-fit and crank that sucker up....... If you lucky you've just saved some money....if not... about R400 to repair it..... If you dont wanna replace the flywheel stick with the 6v starter the extra volts will not kill it off... you did say that you have had it in your ride for ever so just service the starter and stick with what works.....

Hope this helps.

Get the starter rebuilt, you will have no worries after that, replace the bush in the bell-housing as well, it has probably never been replaced, and led to the problematic starter. The bush replacement is easy with the motor out, but a real fiddly job removing the old one, when you have to do it thru the starter opening, I did it once but never again, I will now rather take out the motor. The bush also needs to be lubed before fitting the way to do it is to get some clean engine oil into a small holder and then place the bush between your thumb and fore finger then release and make sure a small seal is created between your thumb & the bush, then fill up the bush with the oil to the brim and the with the fore finger close off the top & apply pressure between both fingers until you see oil seep out of the pours in the side of the bush, clean up the mess and it is then ready for fitting. Another way to keep the bush and starter lubed is by having a main oil seal leak HA HA

Man, you 2 guys are fast!!!

I will definitely have to replace the bushing...had been getting this slow starting situation... Who would keep this kind of bushings? Midas??

What is your feelings about fitting a new 12v solenoid? Will it fit to the 6v starter?

I wonder how many other 6v starter makes (Bosch in this case) would last this long on 12v?!? They were seem to have been heavily over engineered.

Take it to an auto electrition in your area they should complete the work in a day and they can test the Bendix gear and assambly at the same time, mine broke and was dragging, I toke it for repairs and they replaced the bushes, brushes and fixed the bendix for R425 so yours might be cheaper.

Stick with the 6v starter.

I stand to be corrected but the 12v solenoid will not fit the 6v, I tried it once but I wasn't sure if it was a 6v VW starter or not and it didn't work, I know a golf 12v solenoid will fit the beetle 12v starter. Go to Volkspares they will have it in stock only a few rand, other suppliers will have to order it.

You can get one in the UK and it is real sweet. I know its no help but they do exist

Removing the bush inside the box is easier with the following
Use a tap and screw it into the old bush the tap will grip the bush and pus it out in no time
or use a rod the same diameter as the starter shaft and fill the hole in the box with heavy grease tapping the shaft in removes the bush.
there were two main types of starter used by VW one looking like a later 12 volt type and the other completely different the bosch type can use a 12 v solenoid.
Armand