70 Bay won't start

[jimmyjames80]

Hi,

New to the forum and Bay ownership don't consider myself a mechanic but love having a go myself, I have a 1970 bay, had it for a couple of months now, I am having some issues starting it up.

When I got to turn it over I am just getting a ticking, then after a few trys the ticking will stop as if the battery has ran out, I have checked the battery its fully charged I also swapped it with the battery in my 71 beetle and the beetle fires no problems, I know its not the battery because even if I try to jump it, it seems to take ages to fire, then sometimes it will just fire at random.

Once I do get her fired up, if I stop it again straight away it won't fire again but if I go on a long drive she will fire again but will struggle if left for a few hours, then as if by magic overnight it won't fire again in the morning just ticking again. I have tried 2 fresh batteries in it and still the same,

any suggestions?

James

 

[StuF]

Have you tried to put the bus in 1st gear or reverse and rocking it back and forward?
Sounds like you might need a new starter motor
Take a video of the not starting/noise and post it using the tapatalk app - might make it easier to diagnose

 

[norm]

Hello
As said above sounds like your starter motor brushes have gone
If its an original you could take it to an auto electrical place and have a new set fitted
Norm

 

[ozziedog]

Try the above, but because it does turn over with a jump, I’m thinking it might just be worth checking your earth connections. Clean up both ends of the battery earth lead and the earth from body to gearbox / motor again both ends. I take it that the rest of the motor is in good tune like valve and points settings . After you’ve tried it a few times, jump underneath with the key in your pocket :shock: and gently feel your starter solenoid and see if it’s very hot. All these leads might like a little freshen up and some tlc as well :!: Sounds like some love is required. Also thinking solenoid sticking possibly? Nice screwdrivers test on that and a smashing miniature meteorite shower under your bus


Ozziedog,,,,,,, do the freebie things first. :mrgreen:

 

[matt-me]

Do you know if you have an electric fuel pump? Mine has a facet electrical fuel pump and this ticks until it has charged the system. It stops after a while. Could be worth checking this out. The standard mechanical pumps don't make a ticking noise.

The starter motor noise is more of a single click if it has jammed. If it is this I'm pretty sure it is the solenoid that sticks/jams not a brushes issue in the motor itself (although that might be a next check). I had this happen to me once in France, a sharp hit with a hammer on the starter motor solved the problem (not too heavy). As above rocking the bus in gear, if it is this, can free it too. When home, I tried to take the solenoid apart to check it/grease it or whatever but buggered the screws so bought a new one.

Good luck. Al