Aircooled VW South Africa

Picture the scene:

Thumper has been sitting in the newly built, and windowless garage, for two days. I am about to leave for work, anxious to cruise on the freeway with a healthy flat four thumping away behind my shoulder.

I turn the igntion and after 4 or 5 turns I wonder what the heck is Thumper's problem now. Usualy she barks into life after 1 or 2 swings of the starter motor. I turn off the ignition thinking maybe the lead on the coil fell off again. I should really replace that spade terminal.

The starter continues to crank merrily. Now a bit stunned I pull out the key from the ignition and a look of pure disbelief comes over me as I now stare at the key in my hand, still listening to the starter happily destroying itself.

I now jump into action, and in a heartbeat have got into the back and pulled out the rear seat. I unclip the battery cover in a panic still hearing the now unhappy starter still trying its damnest to get that 1600 lump going. I instinctively grab the earth lead trying to yank it off. Its getting warmer as I realise that the last person to fasten these terminals was me. And they are not coming off by pulling at them!

I now run to my toolbox with the merry sound of starter motor echoing through the garage. I grab my 13 spanner and race back to loosen the battery terminal. By now the battery is starting to fade and the tune is slowing down, I finally get the terminal off and silence is restored.

WHAT THE $#@%$%%$#@$ Happened? It is now doing this often. And a trip to the local auto electrician got me the reply "When the timing is too far advanced it does that"

What

Ghost In The Machine

Nice story Thump'.

HtF it runs without a key though...VERY kewl party trick though.

Sorry, no idea on how to help though.

N.

Hi Thumper

Problem sounds like a faulty solenoid, a solenoid is just a big strong relay and what happens is the 2 copperplates inside burns and get stick to each other, then you can take your key out and the starter will keep on going.

have a look at the olenoid, why the engine did not start, i realy do not know

It will start and run if you push start or just do the 'roll down hill and start in gear'. I am sometimes able to start without problems. The 'old' Thumper, that takes one swing to fire up. I am happy the the starter did not stay in and the engine started running as well. I am not sure what damage could have come from that...

I had this problem with the old bus....
It is very disconcerting and the panic is spectacular.. I feel your pain.
It doesnt happen when the battery is charged properly. The relay does not disconnect when you turn the key, and you have to disconnect the battery to break the circuit.. all the time the engine is being turned slowly and you think the battery will explode.... Apparently this can be fixed by adding a relay (I was told) , but keep the battery charged in the meantime.. I have the scars on my hands from the haste of getting in the back to remove the battery lead....

I agree with SUZIE, it sounds like a faulty solenoid.

And brianj has put his finger on the other part of the problem: if your battery is no longer in peak condition, it may only be able to supply enough power to turn the starter motor, but not the ignition. You may have noticed in the past that sometimes your engine only fires as you stop cranking it.

Adding a relay to the starter circuit has the effect of bypassing the cabling from the battery to the ignition switch and back to the engine. It works, but addresses the symptom rather than the cause, which is poor connections.

Sounds like you need to replace your battery and clean up all the connections at your ignition switch, fuse box and starter motor. That should solve the sticky solenoid, but you may still need to replace the solenoid as well.

Thumper

also a good idea is to install a main power suply cutoff right at the battery, safes you time from running around looking for tools and burning your hands on hot cables.

2 problems solenoid faulty and battery on it's last legs, Fig has it 100%. I too have had the experience of the engine only starting as the starter stopped turning, it was like that for a while, it was a bit tricky you only had like 2 chances to start it up, then nothing (good anti-theft device ) but when I finally had to replace the battery, and had the solenoid sorted, it started right up, a relay did nothing to help.

Thank you everyone for the quick replies. I am going to take the appropriate action and sort this out. Mmmm....... now where did I put my shotgun?

Sorry Thumper , with that I cant help you, really I do not know where you did put that shotgun of yours.

O rmaybe I can help you with a lead, Who did you shot last with it? he he he he he

Thanks Mate! Now I remember

What car is Thumper?

I've browsed this forum but couldn't figure out what you drive

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/forum/vi ... highlight=

old Thumper

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/forum/vi ... c&start=15

Current Thumper in Blue. Some of the pics are missing. Not sure how that happened....

All is revealed!!

A beauty of a car

Thumper wrote:http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/forum/vi ... highlight=

old Thumper

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/forum/vi ... c&start=15

Current Thumper in Blue. Some of the pics are missing. Not sure how that happened....

Can we call that a BARN find??