Turn key/Nothing happens

[George Simmons]

Just every so often, I try to start the car and nothing happens. Yes there is lots of juice. Sometimes after three, six, or eight times, it will start. Sometimes it won't and I give up, although I may come back an hour later, and it will fire right up. I don't know if it's a bad key (it looks very worn), a bad switch, the steering wheel is not turned just right or what. I do know that it is embarrassing. What is it?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check Jim Thorusen's starter troubleshooting article, available in the Tech Articles section of this site.

The problem can range from a bad starter switch, to bad wiring, to dirty connections, to a bad starter solenoid. To isolate it, read the article and check the indicated stuff when the starter fails to work.

--DD

[George Simmons]

Thanks for the tip Dave, I'll let you know what I find.

[Conrad W Peden]

The part that the key goes into is attached to a plastic piece that the 'ignition' wires are attached to, in your steering column. On my car the plastic piece that the wires were attached to was broken and it caused me greif for the longest time. I would have to wiggle the key just the right way to get the car to start. I replaced the plactic piece and while I was at it I cleaned out the column(all the contacts etc.)

Problem solved.

Otherwise, check the ground straps etc.

[Brister]

My experiance was similar to Conrad's. Sometime turning the key worked the starter, sometime not. A remote switch to the solinoid showed that part to be okey. I dreaded pulling the steering wheel etc but found it very simple. A $20 switch from a local VW/Bosche parts house was the solution.
No more cranking problems. Then I was free to move to other problems! -GRIN-

[Neal Colingham]

I had this problem with my 76 2.0 last week, to make a long story short it was the coil. I would drive the car park and it would not start, I would wait a while and the car would start. If you don't have spark at the coil when this happens use a multimeter and check the voltage on pin 15 on the coil. The one with only one lead it should have at least 9 volts but hayes says more voltage could indicate a coil problem. I swapped out my coil with a old one out of my motorhome and the car started up. (it was completly down at the time). This might not be your problem but it's worth a look. I just reread you question and I think your car won't crank at all. My starter would turn the motor it just would not start. Sorry for the confusion.

[This message has been edited by Neal Colingham (edited 06-22-99).]

[George Simmons]

I think I have isolated the problem. It DOES seem to be the seatbelt safety relay. I got in today, laid my case and laptop (about 15 or 20 lbs. in the passenger seat. Turn key/nothing happens. Reach over and insert buckle into seat belt......retry key and viola! Retried several other tests and all worked. Thinking back, there was a briefcase or person in passenger seat when nothing happened before. I hope this is the answer. Thanks for all the tips though. I'll call again.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You can also temporarily disarm the seatbelt interlock by unplugging the wire coming out of the seat belt buckle. But the proper fix is to permanently attatch the two thick yellow wires together.

--DD