change starter.
----- Original Message -----
From: "asad ishaque" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:02 AM
Subject: [vintagvw] Starting probs in my 68 bug.
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
_______________________________________________
vintagvw site list
[email protected]
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
