Hello Volks,
Please excuse the following long wordy mail but I just got to let you guys
know all that’s being going on to hopefully come up with a diagnosis.
My 68 bug has a Jap alternator slapped in place by the PO. My brother
Suleman had come up with a double pulley mechanism to run two belts to keep the
engine cool. This was many years ago and some list members might remember the
adventures in the process.
Car was running fine and used daily. We've never had any probs all these
years with the charging system. The starter motor was acting up a bit for the
last couple of months. When I tried to start the car I heard a humming sound
for the first about five seconds of turning the key. It then burst into life
and cranked the motor fine, starting on first attempt. I had figured it was due
for a service and had been ignoring the issue to be addressed at a later time.
Last week I was driving up to work, a 12 Km journey at night time. As I
pulled up, the lights gave a yellow glow on the gates of my workplace. I parked
the car and went for my night long duty hour. Next morning the engine refused
to crank. All I heard was the humming noise. Called a friend who helped me
jumpstart the bug from his car’s battery. Bug ran fine for all day then which
was a Sunday. Ran her during the daylight for long with no issues.
Monday night I set out for work again. Started up fine and ran fine.
Midway to work I noticed the lights dim again. Parked her at a garage and went
to work in a cab. Next morning jump started the bug again with no issues and
brought her home. The battery went dead just as I was turning in the street.
Pushed her home for the first time!
I got an auto electrician home who jump started the bug using his own
battery. Checked out all things and could not pinpoint any probs. The battery
had showed a little under 12 volts before starting and on revving it up around
14 plus volts. In the end he said nothing was wrong and I should drive the bug
without worries.
Still I drove the electrician back to his shop in the bug and had everything
rechecked there. Everything seemed ok. The battery water was tested and gravity
was good according to the hydrometer.
Got home and parked the bug. Took off the neg terminal just to make sure if
there was a current drain somewhere it wont drain the batt. Next morning the
voltage read 11.92 volts. Connected the terminal and cranked. Humming sound
followed by half a crank and then nothing. Connected the voltmeter and noted
that the voltage dropped to below 4 volts on repeated cranking.
Today I put another cars battery (regular runner but with a smaller 40 AH)
to jump start but no luck. Even tried connecting the second battery by jumper
cables directly (ie without the bugs battery) but hardly any cranks.
All this while the generator light did not come on even once, except when it
should on the first switch.
Im quite lost as to what could be at fault. Is my battery gone?? Maybe it’s
the starter motor really acting up?? Putting a large drain on the battery
somehow?? Maybe it’s the cutout?? Maybe it’s the generator?? (which gives a
little more than 14 volts on revving).
Please help with ideas and more….
Thanks for bearing with me.
Asad
Karachi, Pakistan.
PS: I just had a post 73 alternator serviced with new bearings and brushes
ready to replace the Jap setup. Also have an autostick starter motor needing a
service. Both are to go in but I really want to know what probs there are with
the car before I swap stuff.
_________________________________________________________________
Watch “Cause Effect,” a show about real people making a real difference. Learn
more.
http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause
_______________________________________________
vintagvw site list
[email protected]
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
