car will not turn over

1974 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
45,000 MILES • 1.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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RUNGSAT69
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I have a Super Beetle, and the engine will not turn over. You turn on the key lights light up in the dash, if you wait a little holding the key on sometimes it will turn over. I am thinking it needs a starter relay, but i am not sure.
Thanks
Dec 30, 2017 at 4:47 PM
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KASEKENNY
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I would agree that this sounds like a relay or a solenoid issue.

Here are a couple of guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

We don't have a wiring diagram on these older vehicles, but it is a pretty simple circuit.

Basically, the battery is wired to the ignition switch then to the solenoid, lastly the starter.

So, you can jump the solenoid with a screwdriver and see if the starter turns over when it is acting up. If it does, then the solenoid is the issue.

If not, then more than likely the starter has failed. However, the solenoid is the likely issue.

Please run through this info and let us know what other questions you have. Thanks
Mar 22, 2022 at 10:05 AM
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HARRY P
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I would add that you might check to make sure the cables and nuts in the solenoid are both very clean and very tight. If there's any amount of greenish white corrosion on them, take them off, clean with a wire brush, and put them back on.

This guide is more or less on point, except it's directed towards the battery cables. Same concept though.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked
Mar 22, 2022 at 11:37 AM
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