FAQ 122

Question: My bug will not turn over and will not start. I have replaced the battery and starter. All I hear is a click near the carb when the ignition key is turned to the starting position. The starter does not turn over, however, there is juice going to the starter. Could the problem be my ignition switch, coil, points and condensor or something else?

Answer: The starter not turing over (when you know it is a good starter) is usually not enough juice (current) on the small red wire. That triggers the solenoid which closes the battery-to-start connection and turns the starter over.

It takes a fair bit of current to close the solenoid. If you touch the solenoid wire to the battery positive, does the starter turn? Do this carefully. Car out of gear, brake on, no fuel fumes, etc.

The ignition switch contacts go bad and don't send enough current to the solenoid. A DC circuit can have 12V, but a bad contact will prevent those 12V from flowing enough to close the solenoid or light a bulb. Putting in a Ford solenoid like I did helps, but it just delays replacing the ignition switch. I still have to push the key in while turning the ignition switch to get the starter to turn.

I had a case where a reverse switch tested OK with a voltmeter, but wouldn't pass enough current to light a bulb.

The click in the base of the carb is the idle solenoid, and that's normal.

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