Starting troubleshooting checklist ??..// update

[grandpa pete]

"back in the old days " when I had a model a ford, one of the books had a checklist to troubleshoot a non starting engine . I remember it started by putting a piece of paper between the points and using an ohm meter to locate voltage at several points ....
If anyone knows what I am talking about could you refer me to a printed version of this for VW's
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[grandpa pete]

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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[fla2smoker]

Excuse my ignorance, the fact that I am a little more than 20 years younger and still owe you lunch
Where are you looking for voltage with paper between the points on a model A? Sorry they were not popular when I was in high school
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View my 66 build thread here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507996

[grandpa pete]

The checklist was a "what to check when your car won't start "
I used it several times .
most times it was the points were corroded from sitting .
With the paper between the points you could isolate the electrical path backwards to the battery
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[Cusser]

Well, if the starter spins the engine at the right speed (#1),
#2 is to use aerosol starting fluid to determine whether the non-start is due to a fuel-related issue or a spark-related issue.

In other words, if it won't run at least a few seconds the times you try after spraying in starting fluid, then issue is like spark-related.

Don't go to #3 unless you've learned stuff using #1 and #2.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[rockerarm]

Hi Pete. I have never heard of that style with the paper.

I guess I would assure a good 6/12v source to the + side of the coil.
Next, with the key off, using a DVOM, on ohm scale, hook leads between - on coil and ground, and rotate engine by hand and watch the meter. With points closed reading should be 0 ohms and with points open should read infinity. If not, disconnect condenser and repeat. This test would be checking the primary circuit to determine if a short to ground exists.
I hope that helps, Bill.

Wonder if you googled that question if any vintage car site would come up?

[61SNRF]

#1 you can't use an Ohm meter to measure Voltage

In any case, if and when you ever find that old Model A t-shooting guide, all the pin-out voltage info contained in it would be completely transferable to any Beetle with points and coil ignition, or any car with the same for that matter, with perhaps the only major differences between them all being the terminal designations and wire colors
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[grandpa pete]

Rockerarm ; I just don't think of "google that ".....Old guy thing
I told someone I would help them get a bus started tomorrow morning and was looking for all the help I could get
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[DuaneL]

the Idiot's manual (John Muir's how to keep your Volkswagen alive) does have a check list of things to check in the back of the book, its a 3 part trouble shooting section.
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1971 std bug, 1776, ACN Super Stock 34-3, dvda dist, 27x8.50 14 tires

[Emeraldlion]

^ I second what that guy said. The Muir manual is not only a fun read but it is very helpful. However, might be hard to get a hold of on short notice. Last time I looked the big bookstores had a copy or 2 On shelf. I recently went through this to get my 60 started.

1. Try to crank, it did.
2. Spray ether in carb and crank...nothing
3. check voltage @ coil 6v so good
4. Disconnect coil wire from distributor for spark
5. If getting spark reconnect and take out plugs to check for fouling. If no spark see #9.
6. Find cylinder 1 tdc and ensure dizzy is in correct phase and firing position.
7. New plugs if needed, spray ether and try cranking again try choling carb and see if fires
8. If still no fire I would come to the samba to start searchin'.
9. If no spark check points gap for .016 or 5 sheets of standard printer paper( I did the math cause I didn't have a feeler gauge)
10. If still no spark replace points and condenser(just in case)
11. Spray ether and try to crank again.
12. Still no spark possible valve timing or adjustment issues and beyond this I come to samba to search

[grandpa pete]

This is what I found when I got to the "dead" bus

Spade clip on wrong terminal on starter

Loose battery terminals

bad coil

wires on cap wrong

thanks for all your help
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery