Help with halfass starting

[Cummins109]

I have a 98 VW beetle with a 2.0L. Its having trouble starting. owner the previous owner had to move the shifter back and forth to get the car started, after awhile they couldn't get it started anymore.so when i bought it i put a neutral safety switch on it and it fired right up. i drove it around town and shut it off then couldn't get it fired back up for awhile. i turned the key and had power but no starter noise at all. then when it tried starting the starter click fast and highlight the P (park) then D (drive) and kept doing that while the starter was clicking fast, then it highlighted park and fired right up. its got a new starter a newer good battery and a neutral safety switch on it. Can anyone give me ANY ideas?

Thanks, Cummins109

[simonsi]

Sounds like a loose connection at the battery cables or engine earth strap.

[Cummins109]

Wouldn't u lose power driving though? I have lights and everything and it adventually starts. The clicking real quick then starting is weird though

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by Cummins109

Wouldn't u lose power driving though? I have lights and everything and it adventually starts. The clicking real quick then starting is weird though

Quite possible a poor/corroded connection will pass enough current to run the car fine but struggles under the 500 amps to start...

[Droid]

i agree with simon...i would check your ground....the car STARTS off the battery (battery ground) but RUNS off the alternator (alternator ground)

when it is running, all accesories are powered by the altenator not the battery. which is why your lights etc all work fine.