VW Super Beetle not running needs a jump to turn on

SOUTTHILUCK

MEMBER
VOLKSWAGEN

I have a 1973 vw super beetle 1.6 liter four cylinder air cooled engine. I cannot get the car to run right. I put in a new battery about 540cca and the car will not start. The alternator/oil pressure light stays on when the car is off and the key is out. But it will turn off when running. The oil is a little old and thick and over the full line but not by much. When I use jumper cables I can get the car to run, I also notice it can turn on without stepping on the clutch just by turning the key. After I jump it it runs fine but when I turn it off it won't start by itself again. Sometimes when I jump it and pull off the battery cables it will die on the spot. But sometimes it wont die until I turn it off and then it wont start. So it seems like it basically using all the power from the good car battery but its not charging back to its own. But then the alternator lights goes off and it runs for a long time fine.I have no ideas anymore because it will run fine after a jump so it cant be the alternator. Could it be bad battery cables, something electrical drawing a current or a switch? Or something staying on while its in park? Please help me out asap! I'm thinking electrical.

2 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

Two different interfaces (Assembly Line Diagnostic Link ALDL or Data Link Connector DLC). Look at any 96 (all OBDII) or later vehicle and compare it to yours.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006 AT 9:13 PM

FRIEDEMANN

MEMBER
47 POSTS

Had the same car cept had generator.
Anyways you have a problem when the lights stay on with the key out.
You do not have to depress the clutch to start the car. That is perfectly normal. (That was a chevy vega thing and probably other chevs)
I would PULL THE STARTER and have it checked out. It may be starter solenoid or the starter may be dragging.(Requires alot of battery juice to turn over) An auto elec. Shop can bench test it and tell. A dragging starter can pull alot of juice out of the battery and also draw power from the battery killing it. Best at the moment, until you get the starter checked over, to disconnect 1 clamp off the battery when you park it for the night otherwise the battery will be low or dead in the morning. Do it soon before you burn up your altenator and battery(which will just add to the cost)