98 beetle will not turn every attempt , but will start after the 5th time turning key

[fss13foxtrot]

I own a 1998 VW beetle. Auto tranny.... problem started recently. when i attempt to turn the ignition key i hear nothing from the engine bay, then on the 4th or 5th attempt it will turn and start.... when i try to turn it in the first place it does not attempt to turn.... also the odometer is reset to 0.0 MI on the trip meter..... i checked the battery, and it is still green in battery window. any ideas? also it sounds kinda weak when it works on the 5th time when i start it, however it does start.

[stinkybisquit]

Do the courtesy lights come on when you get in? With the odometer resetting, it sounds like a poor / broken connection; whenever I've seen that happen, with a good battery, it's a poor (usually negative) terminal connection. You may try to have someone look at your voltmeter (assuming you're using one) while you're trying to turn it over; if it drops a lot, you may have a cell dying in the battery.

[fss13foxtrot]

battery is fine. yes, i use a vantage.... starter is fine

[stinkybisquit]

Instead of across the battery terminals, check to voltage between the chassis and the positive terminal while testing it. With that odometer resetting, it still sounds like intermittant continuity in the battery circuit, whether it's poor terminal connections, bad fuseable link, etc.

[2005Beetle]

Some guy pulled up along side of me at a red light and waved since he had an old beetle.

Back to your problem though, I recently had my car parked at work for a week before I signed up for AAA and let the tow truck driver fix the problem. I checked the battery terminals, removed the battery, checked the connection to the tray and there was another little wire accessible with the battery removed but the tow truck driver got under the car and found the culprit. The connection to the starter was broken!

Maybe yours is similar.

Good luck!