hard/no start in winter

bugpack · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 178 Location: audobon park area

my battery is new the motor is a 1600sp. i have to either jump start or (if i remember to) put the battery on the charger overnight. what have you guys done to overcome this?? would it help to insulate my battery in some way to keep it warmer?

sandals · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

When you hop in and turn the key, what happens? Engine spins but no start? Engine spins slowly? No spin, but a click? Nothing but dash lights? Nothing at all?

19bay70 · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 13 Location: CDA

I just keep a trickle charger on my battery and dont seem to have any issues starting my 1600 in bus

bugpack · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 178 Location: audobon park area

hop in and slow turn. then no turn.
if i have it on a charger/ or jump it then it fires up right away.
just thought someone has come up with a insulation idea.
i guess i'll tinker around with it and post my findings

sandals · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 5:14 pm Post subject:

How are your cable connections? That would be the first thing I would check. Both the battery terminals, the starter terminal, the ignition switch terminal, the ground straps (yes, there are two) and the voltage regulator terminal. Clean, tight, and fresh looking. Wouldn't be a bad idea to have the battery load tested at your FLAPS, too. But it sounds like a connectivity issue to me. VW's generally start quite well when it's cold.

Troy Hobbs · Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 766

possible bad starter bushing, bad grounds, missing ground strap from pan to trans, loose cables

sandals · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:19 pm Post subject:

Starter bushing. I forgot about the starter bushing. Good point.