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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:36 am Post subject: 78 EFI Bug died going down the road |
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| This weekend, took my 78 Convertible bug (EFI) out on the highway, for short 30-40 min drive. Windows down, 65-70 mph, what could be better on a 80 degree day! Came back into town, did the usual stop and go thru several stop signs and was in second gear, accelerating slowly (yes, seriously) and all of a sudden, car just gradually and slowly stopped. I was trying to pump accelerator, but no help. Tried to re-start, turned over very easy, had spark, but would not even pop. Left it, came back next AM, started right up??? Friend mentioned bad coil? Temp sensor?? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance! |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:53 am Post subject: |
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What have you checked so far? Do you own the Bentley manual? Got some tools?
Always start by cleaning and tightening the electrical connetions at the battery, the starter, and the chassis ground strap. Look around for wires attached to nothing or vacuum hoses that have fallen off.
Then suspect the ignition system including the points, wires and spark plugs.
Then consider the FI system. Plan on dong a fuel pressure test (0-60 psi gauge) and a Temp Sensor II test (with a volt ohm meter). |
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| I will get to work Randy. Did it again yesterday. Just died as I was driving. Came back in 4 hours, wouldn't start. Heat index over 100. Tried it this morning, started right up again. SOmething with heat??? I haven't tested stuff yet, but now i wonder about fuel pump? |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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We replace nothing until it is proven to be bad.
The first thing I would do (if it were me) would be to clean the electrical connections at the battery, the starter, the chassis ground and at the double relay. That is essentially "free" to do.
By the way, do you own a volt ohm meter? How about a Bentley manual for your car? |
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:52 am Post subject: |
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| I do have a voltmeter. No Bentley- did download some info from another thread. Thanks! |
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DeathTrap
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2004
Posts: 1757
Location: Sacramento/Vermont
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:09 am Post subject: |
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| Have randy come by and test your fuel filter. |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:18 am Post subject: |
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| DeathTrap wrote: |
| Have randy come by and test your fuel filter. |
Yes change the fuel filter and cut up the old one to see if it is full of rusty crud. They are only $5. Buy 2 of them so you will have a spare in your box of tricks..
After you do that see if it will indeed pump 1L of fuel in 30 seconds. It should.
Keep in mind that the double relay (that actually powers up the fuel pump) is located by the rear window and likes to get wet if your window leaks. Clean those connections. |
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abl1111
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2004
Posts: 399
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| Bang the double relay on the floor. |
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:25 am Post subject: |
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| excellent, thanks, and I will let you all know after i do all of this stuff! |
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DeathTrap
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2004
Posts: 1757
Location: Sacramento/Vermont
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Randy in Maine wrote: |
| DeathTrap wrote: |
| Have randy come by and test your fuel filter. |
Yes change the fuel filter and cut up the old one to see if it is full of rusty crud. They are only $5. Buy 2 of them so you will have a spare in your box of tricks..
After you do that see if it will indeed pump 1L of fuel in 30 seconds. It should.
Keep in mind that the double relay (that actually powers up the fuel pump) is located by the rear window and likes to get wet if your window leaks. Clean those connections. |
I think it's more like a slime from gasohol and such lossening up stuff as a new introduced solvent
that and those little filters have very little surface area of fine material.
I'd be runnin for years on the same filter then go through a couple few.
I'd deny it as long as I could. |
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abl1111
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2004
Posts: 399
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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| I bet a 'virtual beer' it's the double relay |
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tripicana
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2003
Posts: 1164
Location: colorado springs
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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I've had a bad coil that would work until it got too hot, then the engine dies. Let it cool down and it worked again.
_________________
foam cowboy hats aren't good helmets. |
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Dwayne1m
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2011
Posts: 3538
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Good luck finding the problem and please post what you found to be the culprit b/c I also have a 78FI. Electronics is my weak link but I must disagree with many that claim that electronics either work or they don't. I raced cars for over 20 years and I had an electronic ignition but was having problems as the races went on. Everyone was telling me it wasn't the electronic ignition so I replaced everything but that and the problem persisted. Sent the ignition system out to be tested and it tested fine. I finally bit the bullet and bought a new electronic ignition system and the problem was cured. Moral of the story is that my experience taught me that some electrical parts test fine when cold but fail once they get warm. |
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I will get to it this weekend, working on Randy's list. Mine sounds exactly like Tropicana's problem. I will also test coil, but for $38 and fact it's 24 years old, going to put a new Bosch coil in none the less. thanks everyone! |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Randy, that is exactly what I got, from fcpeuro yesterday. Put it in tomorrow. |
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Pretty sure it is fuel pump. I want a Bosch, but i see 2 numbers, a 69469 or a 69414? How do I know which one, most places list both? |
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wrocek
Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2013
Posts: 397
Location: North Illinois
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jnespor57
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 19
Location: Iowa, USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks!! |
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19super73
Hardcore Stock Nazi
Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 4351
Location: Cité Soleil
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