[T3] 1971 Fastback w/manual transmission

[Jim Adney]

On 2 Apr 2013 at 14:25, Art Sterrett wrote:

> I connected terminals 30 and 50 and the starter would not spin.  When
> I connected from terminal 50 to the spade connector on the solenoid,
> the solenoid engages.  The only thing I didn't check was the voltage
> at terminal 50 which I believe has to be 7 or above.  I will do that! 

You should check the connections at the battery, both ground and +, 
and at the starter end of the + wire. It's sometimes worthwhile to 
loosen the nut on the starter, wiggle the lug and retighten the nut. 
I've seen that bolted connection become non-conductive. Do this with 
the battery ground strap disconnected. Re-connect it after you're 
done.

Never pound battery connectors onto the battery posts. Spread the 
connectors and slide them all the way down onto the posts and then 
snug up the clamp bolt. Pounding will permanently damage even a new 
battery, AND lead to eventual damage to the battery cables.

Terminal 50 IS the spade connector. The 2nd large stud on the back of 
If the solenoid has no terminal number. If you were shorting the 2 
large studs on the end of the solenoid, that's a good test: It should 
run the starter, assuming the starter, battery, and all the 
connections are sound.  

If that test works, short between the outer stud and the spade. That 
should work if all the other things are good AND the solenoid is 
good.

> This Fastback has had starting problems before, the last time I had to
> replace the ignition switch because it had come apart.  I took the
> battery to Interstate and they put a full charge on it and ran a load
> test, etc. and told me the battery was fine.  I have checked and
> cleaned all the connections in the starter circuit. 

Make sure the electrolyte covers the plates in each cell. If the 
battery has been sitting for a few months, there's no way to put a 
complete charge on it overnight. The ONLY way to do this is to 
trickle charge (100 mAmp or less) it for a week or so. Fast charging 
will only damage it.

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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