The starter circuit on a old volkswagen is super simple, even simpler then equivalent era detroit iron, but there are some things that can go wrong.
Always start with the basics...check your voltage like Doug suggested. There isn't a fuse in the starter circuit
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... g_6869.jpg voltage comes straight from the battery to the column/ign via the light switch. pull the smaller red wire off at the starter, stick a volt meter onto it and have your better half turn the ignition sw to the start position. If you have 12ish volts your ignition switch is good and the wire from the ign sw to the starter is good too. if you don't have 12ish volts then check the red w/ black stripe wire with the voltmeter (turn the ign sw to the start position). Also check the red wire from the light switch to the ign switch for 12v, it should be hot (12v, not literally hot
) all the time. If your lights aren't working too then you got some bigger issues which need to be addressed.
Here is a couple of things to check:
ground strap at the trans like Dillon recommended
is the battery good? if the battery is dying it won't have enough umph to turn the starter. Advanced Auto or AZ can properly test the battery, to do it right you need to put a load on the battery, just using a voltmeter won't tell you a lot.
Check the battery clamps, if they are loose and/or corroded then it can effect starting.
ign switches fail and when they do they can cause this, my Aussie one went out on me recently. easy test is to "hotwire" the car. unplug the red w/ blk stripped wire and put 12v on it. if the starter works then it's the ign switch.
make sure the smaller red wire on the starter is on the TOP terminal like Billy mentioned. I made that mistake recently on Chuck's notch (
that was the only drama I had with the new harness
)
lastly, if all the above checks out then and only then replace the starter.