starting question 85 Jetta Diesel

[dyoungen]

Hello again. I have a 1985 Jetta Diesel that I thought had a bad starter. I pulled it and took it to the auto parts store, O'Reillys, and it checked ok. What else could it be? When I would turn the key to start, it wouldn't do anything, no clicking, just silence. Ignition switch?

[catlin_cava]

your battery, or check the connections on your starter also, I put a new one on my AAZ and it wouldnt click but then I reliezed I had the connections mixed up. Also Try jumping your starter with a screw driver?

[dyoungen]

The battery looks like it just came off the shelf and I checked all of the connections. Right now I"ve got to get 2 bolts to replace the starter bolts. I"ll get the 2 bolts and recheck everything again.

[monst]

I just got to mention this one...
My 91.. MUST have the driver's shoulder belt connected...
 other wise car no start.... not a thing....
connect the belt and whala.....

[bajacalal]

I think no sound at all is usually no connection at all (as opposed to a bad connection or low charge).

Did you take the battery cables off and clean/inspect both ends? How about the connection from the ignition switch on the starter? That wiring is 25 years old.

Another source of poor connections is the negative cable connection at the engine block. They are dissimilar metals IIRC and corrode. It could also be the ignition switch, they seem a little fragile on these vehicles. It may be time to find a test light or multimeter and an assistant. There is no seat belt switch on a 1985 model but there could be a neutral safety switch on an automatic car (did they make them then)?

[burnt_servo]

my sister has a '89 wolfburg jetta .
to start it the drivers seat belts need to plugged in .

maybe your car has something similar built into it ?

[dyoungen]

If I don't get rained out tomorrow I"ll put everything back together. The starter checked out good and I bought 2 bolts to replace the capscrews that hold the starter on. This is the first time I ran across a starter that bolted through the engine block and threaded into the motor mount.

[janb]

This is why a always carry my VW first aid kit... 12" of #10 wire

1) jump starter
2) jump glow plugs
3) jump radiator fan
4) tie up exhaust pipe
5) tie down bonnet
...

[Rabbit on Roids]

This is why a always carry my VW first aid kit... 12" of #10 wire

1) jump starter
2) jump glow plugs
3) jump radiator fan
4) tie up exhaust pipe
5) tie down bonnet
...

and on
and on
and on.
its amazing how little it takes to fix a VW. isnt it nice? how many other cars can you steal with nothing but a piece of wire?

[catlin_cava]

This is why a always carry my VW first aid kit... 12" of #10 wire

1) jump starter
2) jump glow plugs
3) jump radiator fan
4) tie up exhaust pipe
5) tie down bonnet
...

and on
and on
and on.
its amazing how little it takes to fix a VW. isnt it nice? how many other cars can you steal with nothing but a piece of wire?

3 feet of wire and a screw driver and you can start a diesel:P

[dyoungen]

Finally dry weather:)  I checked the small wire on the starter and I don't get anything at any time. I used a jumper wire to the small termanal directly from the battery and she started right up. The starter and battery are ok, I"m just not getting 12 voltes to the small wire on the starter. I followed it to the firewall and then................... it disappeared. I'll be getting a manual shortly. 

[catlin_cava]

When you turn the key "ON" do you accesseries come one suck as stereo GP's Blower Fans?

[macka]

how many other cars can you steal with nothing but a piece of wire?

Yeah, but it sucks when you get to that first turn and the steering column goes click and you go careening over the embankment because you didn't have the key and the steering column locked...  

vroom thump lol

[catlin_cava]

how many other cars can you steal with nothing but a piece of wire?

Yeah, but it sucks when you get to that first turn and the steering column goes click and you go careening over the embankment because you didn't have the key and the steering column locked...  

vroom thump lol

Someone hotwired my golf last year when I was working I walked outside at 12AM and found my car in the middle of the parking lot with the wires for ignition system(home made) ripped out. L:ucky I know who did it...they found his truck stuck in 3 feet of mud...

[dyoungen]

When I turn the key to "run" everything comes on like the idiot lights but when I turn the key farther to the start position, nothing happens. I checked and the small wire that goes to the starter doesn't have 12 volts when I turn the key to "start". When I run a wire from the  battery post to the small terminal on the starter, she starts right up.