start problems--will engage if you let it roll a few inches

[Ghia73Girl72]

More more issues! Am I wearing out my welcome yet? These problems are all connected to our recent roadtrip to California. I am not sure if my carburetor needs to be rebuilt now, due to running tank down to empty by mistake. Or if I still have some wiring problem.

We have 3 VWs, a 1972 baja bug, a 1972 bus, and a 1973 Karmann Ghia.
The bus has some electrical issues, and we've been working through them for many years. One regular issue we can't seem to shake is that from time to time the bus will not start unless you let it roll an inch or two. Sometimes it's just a matter of taking off the parking brake.

Now, our Karmann Ghia is doing the same thing. Just started this weekend. Any ideas? Someone once suggested that a tooth was missing from a starting gear and from time to time it might be aligned at the blank spot and will not start. By letting it roll a bit you get past the missing tooth. I also thought maybe the starter is hung up in the flywheel somehow?

I'm not sure about the bus, but the Ghia has had new clutch, new starter, and new ignition switch/tumbler replaced in the last 6 months, most recently the ignition switch.

Also sometimes dies at a steep fast stop, if it is not warmed up. This is not a big deal--it's notorious behavior when gas is bad, or jets are clogged. Feels like float might be stuck?

Thanks for any info you can share.

[70 140]

Thats a starter problem. Just make it easy on yourself and replace the starter with one for an automatic transmission car - self supporting.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BOS%2DSR17X

[Ghia73Girl72]

hey there 70 140.

Thanks for always responding to my relentless inquiries.

The starter is only about 10 months old. I had it replaced shortly after my clutch last spring. Husband always manages to find issues with the cables connecting the battery and he's worked magic with that--he thinks the cable connecting to the starter needs to be replaced. I think he may be right?

Arrghh! I guess this is part of the mental affliction of living Vintage VWs. It is like being in love. And sometimes just like being in love it makes you wanna puke.

Thank God for forums like Samba where I can feel like I'm getting somewhere, talk it out with other similarly affilcted VW heads, even if I'm just sitting at my desk.

Thanks.

[70 140]

Usually the problem you are describing is caused by a binding starter - when you let it roll a little that lets it go - and it likely works..

When you turn the key and the starter doesn't move do you still here the solenoid click?

Did your husband replace the starter bushing when he put in the new starter? The starter link I sent you is a neat alternative - it was made for automatic transmissions that didn't have the starter bushing pressed into the trans case. So you can put it in and forget about the bushing trouble. Although if your starter is new, I would order up the bushing and give that a try - they are a cheap item. Just a chore to replace.

[Braukuche]

[Ghia73Girl72]

Braukuche and 70 140.

Thanks for taking the time to talk this out with me.
I should mention (if I haven't) that the starter does spin, it's trying to start the car, but nothing. Lots of gas, no ignite. Unless it rolls an inch or 2. It's akin to the feeling when my kill switch is engaged. It'll just tun over and turn over and no ignition. We actually thought the problem was the kill switch being faulty, and engaging when not toggled on, but it appears to be working circuit.

Thanks for the tip about automatic starter. Good to know.