Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Jetta Won't Crank Q. I hope you can help. I have a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta with 90,000 miles. The darn thing decides not to start when it feels like it. When it is damp out, or when you drive for more than a ½-hour. The symptoms are that you turn the key and NOTHING happens. The problem has gotten progressively worse.

What I have done:

I replaced the starter in December, (not an easy task), thought maybe the heat from the exhaust manifold had affected the starter solenoid as it was the original starter. It still does the same thing, only now it won't start at all. Any ideas?

A. I'm going to assume you have the 1.8 liter SOHC engine with an automatic transmission.

Basically the starting system is fairly easy to troubleshoot. I would begin at the starter and work back. With a test light check for power at the small terminal, red/black wire, on the starter. There should be power there with the key in the START position. If there is, then the starter is bad.

If there isn't, we move back to the Neutral Safety Switch. The NSS is located under the shifter assembly. Check for power at the red/black wires there. One should be hot when the key is in the START position and the other hot only in PARK and NEUTRAL, If there is no power when the key is in the START position, we move back to the ignition switch. If there is no power coming out in PARK or NEUTRAL, then the NSS is bad.

At the ignition switch, check for power in at the red wire and power at the red/black wire when the key is in the START position. If there is no power coming in, then you need to check fuses and fusible links. If there is no power when the key is in the START position, the ignition switch is bad.