Car went dead while driving; electrical system also dead

[Kevin1957]

My '72 stopped dead today while I was driving. (Fortunately, I was in a parking lot.) The electrical system is dead. Battery is good. Any suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?

[Era Vulgaris]

Wiring schematic
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/72ghia.jpg

Legend
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/72ghia-key.jpg

I had exactly what happened to you happen to me in the 72 914 I used to own. Obviously different car, but similar enough that it might apply. One of the leads on the starter motor broke loose due to metal fatigue on the connector, and my car was dead while I was moving just like yours. Except I was on a busy road, and luckily had enough speed to coast into a side street.

Also check the connections on your ignition switch. If the hot lead there comes loose, it'll kill the car too.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[kiwighia68]

When that happened to me - 100 yards from my house - it was a simple as a blown fuse. Always the first place to look, I was told after having my car towed to the VW service station. $175 lesson.
_________________
Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015

[Kevin1957]

Thanks for your replies. I will check them out after work tonight.

[NOVA Airhead]

Also look at your fuse panel to see if there are any hair line cracks and all connections are solid.

I had a similar problem. One of the spade terminals was worn and a little loose. The car died. When I got out of the car and slammed the door the radio suddenly came back on. My clue that something was not right in the main power line.
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Ghia Owner Emeritus

[rward011]

I had the same thing happen to mine years ago......the culprit was the capacitor wire on the side of the distributor. Hopefully it is something small!