TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:59 pm

ok so i just upgraded from a 12v generator and regulator to a 12v 51Amp alternator. my idiot light is on and my car wont start. it turns over and tries to fire but doesnt.I also installed a new 12v bosch coil. the plugs are getting spark. the distributor and coil have juice. whats going on.? by the way i drive a 1966 Vw bug.1300cc

Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:30 pm

Well if its turning over then the battery is giving juice to the starter. It doesnt need the gen/alt to start so my guess would be a crappy new coil since the plugs arent getting spark. Wouldnt be the first time new parts didnt work. Do you have the old coil and did it still work? If so throw it on and see if you get spark. The blue wire coming from the dash light must be hooked up correctly for your new alternator to charge the battery. Check your wiring. Try the old coil if you still have it and let us know.

Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:37 pm

alright man will do. The weird thing is that my plugs are getting spark. im curious if the carb fuel shut off isn't getting power. The new coil has a strong spark. I will try the old coil and let you know. Also the other forums are saying that i should get a alternator fuel pump. The old one is mechanical and so is the new bosch fuel pump i bought. since their mechanical and not electrical it shouldnt make a difference right?

Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:44 pm

Pull the breather off and pull on the accelerator. You should see and hear a spray of fuel. If not, look in that direction. Sounds like you have good fire.
Dan

Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:25 pm

Yeah the pump shouldn't matter, the only problem with using the taller pump is that you might not have enough clearance to take the pump out without taking the alternator off.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:09 am

Your new fuel pump may make a difference if it's not working. Take a big long hose and hook it up to the pump output port and place the hose in a milk jug outside the engine compartment and try to start the car, that way you can check to see if the pump is pumping fuel.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:44 am

ok so the pump works fine. now i cant get it to idle. i have to keep on the throttle. i can get it to start but it wont idle.Carb problem? it worked fine before

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:45 am

also im using the stock brosol fuel pump if that helps

Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:22 am

The carb is a solex 30 pict 1

Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:21 pm

What all did you take off? i used to live in canby man i miss that place

Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:26 pm

ok step by step:
took off the engine tin and unbolted the fan from fan shroud.
Labeled and disconected all wires from firewall to engine.
removed the carb (solex 30 pict1)
Disconnected the generator pulley and removed generator with fan.
removed the generator stand.
Installed new Alternator stand
bolted fan onto new alternator(55amps)
installed alternator into fan shroud
installed new coil and wired the engine up with labeled wires
disconnected the regulator from under the seat
attached the battery/control panel/ alternator wires together
Attached idiot light from regulator into straight feed from alternator

so everything is wired correctly and the car starts, but does not idle. my guess is carb is bad, but worked fine before. Also when the car is started and the throttle is used to keep car running, the idiot light does not turn off.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:48 pm

If that idiot lite is not going off u have a problem right there. The new alternator is not putting out. I just did this same thing this past week. What a headache tracing prev. owner's wires. U must have that d+ wire on there. Sounds like it is not making connection back to the light. U can check alt. with a vlot meter on the B+, should be about 14.5 or so. This could cause it not to idle.
Dan

Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:04 pm

thank you everyone. i just found out the real problem. I dont honestly know how but the intake manifold was loose.very loose. tightened them up and it started and ran like a champ.(idiot light went out too)

Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:50 pm

Intake manifolds can get loose for various reasons. The studs that go into the heads can get loose if they weren't installed properly. The threads on the studs can get worn/rusted, and if not noticed, tightening up the nuts that hold the manifold flanges down can result in a real bummer. Or, the studs may not even be there, getting broken off by some fool-hardy attempt at taking the nuts off or putting them back on cross threaded. Anything is possible when it comes to PO's. If you notice any more carb/vac issues consider the fact that the manifold was loose to begin with and that you tightened it down. Ideally, the old crush washers should have been removed and new ones put back in with the intake evenly torqued down to specs.