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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:16 am Post subject: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Hey all,
Last week I swapped out my plugs and points and the thing ran like I had put a turbo charger in. I was at a light yesterday and I started getting some sputters, the light turns green and I am literally dancing with the gas pedal like it was a cold start, it was struggling to run, then died, which it wasnt (cold start). I had to push it off the road and get towed home.
What would make it act like it was out of gas? The carbs "seem fine" I have fuel, unless my gauge is lying after 6 years. It turns over, etc. I'll double check to see if I am getting spark. I replaced the condenser not that long back.
Thanks as always! |
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zozo Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005 Posts: 5217 Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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When you installed the new points, did you put lube on the shaft/nub? I had the nub break off on a brand new set, even WITH the lube. |
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sgellis Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2002 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Thanks guys! I did forget to lube the shaft when I changed the points, however, upon inspecting it looks like it's ok.
Odd thing, now I have power and nothing turns over, not even the slightest bit. Maybe thinking alternator or coil is shot? All other electrical is fine, turned over after it died yesterday but wouldnt start , now ... no turning over...
Seems like a fair amount of data to get a better idea.... any thoughts? |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24670 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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electronictofu wrote: |
Odd thing, now I have power and nothing turns over, not even the slightest bit. Maybe thinking alternator or coil is shot? All other electrical is fine, turned over after it died yesterday but wouldnt start , now ... no turning over...
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A bad coil is not going to keep the starter from turning the crankshaft/FW.
You need to take apart connections between the starter and battery for a good cleaning and dielectric greasing. Check battery for how much voltage it has. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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I dont think it's the battery, yesterday when it died, it was cranking over with full force until I flooded it. Let it sat, cranked over fine and still no start...
I should still check my volts on the battery, but it seems like its something else based on yesterday. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24670 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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electronictofu wrote: |
I dont think it's the battery, yesterday when it died, it was cranking over with full force until I flooded it. Let it sat, cranked over fine and still no start...
I should still check my volts on the battery, but it seems like its something else based on yesterday. |
A bad connection between the battery, starter, and alt/gen can cause a now it is a problem, now it is not a problem, in short succession. Just because the starter turns over full force, does not mean that the coil is getting full voltage at the same time. So best to start out checking voltage at the battery and cleaning/greasing/tightening connections.
Otherwise you will just have to replace everything, wasting a lot of time and $$. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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For sure!
My battery tested at 12.6 volts, all terminals clean.
I guess I'll move onto checking the starter, and coil? Im not sure what setting to put my Multimeter on to test the coil, I replaced the distributor condenser last year this time, maybe that went doodoo on me again, it was a similar situation before.
Lights, stereo, battery, all fine, no blown fuses, grounds are clean, terminals all look clean so far. Odd.... Im not sure what's up . |
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Busted-bolt Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2018 Posts: 514 Location: minnesoota
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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It kinda sounds like a bad ground. One of the biggest culprit here would be the ground cable that jumps around the front transmission mount. Because its under the bus it can be neglected neglected with ease. Good luck _________________ Vw collection 60 combi ,61 panel ,62 deluxe micro,82 diesel Westfalia,88 Vanagon synchro,98 Jetta tdi,11 Jetta tdi mt ,11 Jetta tdi dsg.
I do all my own work,body,engine and transmission. |
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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It does, I agree. I had a ground issue a while back too. I tested my coil, it's at 4.7ohm, and I have power at the key/ IGN switch, although the male terminals are super wobbly, that may need addressing too. I'll check my grounds, all other stuff is mostly checking out good. |
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BarryL Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004 Posts: 14216 Location: Casa de Oro, California
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Have you checked electrically and visually that your points are correct? Also there is a fine braided wire that goes from the points plate to the condenser that has to be intact. |
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NAES Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2003 Posts: 2109 Location: AREA-52 Southern Killafornia
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Closed point gap would be my first guess.
Second is a bad condenser.
Third is both failed.
Swap the old set back in and see what happens. _________________ Barndoor Mafia
Box On Wheels
SBS #00 |
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Busted-bolt Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2018 Posts: 514 Location: minnesoota
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Loose terminals on switch ,fuze junction,coil and any wire ends male or female are things that I had to address on my bus. Those nasty male wobble ends on fuze junction or ignition switch can be fixed. Use a drop of vinegar on the rivet that secures the male lug to clean it off . You can use a tooth brush to scrub a bit, rinse and dry off. Then a dab of solder with a suitable soldering gun will do the trick. _________________ Vw collection 60 combi ,61 panel ,62 deluxe micro,82 diesel Westfalia,88 Vanagon synchro,98 Jetta tdi,11 Jetta tdi mt ,11 Jetta tdi dsg.
I do all my own work,body,engine and transmission. |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12383
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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When the engine stops, just go to the Idiot book and turn to "VW doesn't run"
it lists a basic step by step series of things to check.
For example, my bug stopped going. The engine would turns round with the key turned to start, but the engine did not fire.
I turned the ignition on, and with a test light had power to the coil. Good.
Then I popped the dist cap, moved the points with a screw driver, saw a spark jump there. So I figured it was probably not a spark issue.
I took the fuel line off the carb, and pointed it out of the engine compartment. Turned the engine round some more. No fuel came out of the the line. Made sure there was fuel in the tank. Added some fuel down the carb. Turned key ... now engine started, but after the small amount I had dripped in the carb was used up, it shut down.
I replaced the fuel pump. Connected fuel lines. Then it started when asked to.
For your issue, I would start by checking battery connections, ground, ground strap. Clean the connections, use dielectric grease. |
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western auto Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2013 Posts: 293 Location: yuma,az
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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vapor lock..... has been happening very frequently on many different classic cars I own due to terrible gasoline blends |
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Thanks guys, I feel like its something mentioned above, ground, condenser, or points.
My condenser went out last year while driving, and I replaced it. But when it went out, it would still turn over. My bus went from dying the other day, still turning over and not firing, to now, not turning over one bit. Its feels like a bad ground, fuse, or something in the distributor .
Nothing loose so far, and Ive cleaned all terminals, and tested my battery and coil, my guess is it's a wire or ground Ive yet to find or the dist.
I just think its odd how it died, still turned over but didnt start, now wont turn over at all.
Would a bad condenser still enable the engine to turn over? It seemed to before when I had this issue. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24670 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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electronictofu wrote: |
Would a bad condenser still enable the engine to turn over? It seemed to before when I had this issue. |
Anything failed in the ignition system would have no affect on the starter turning over the engine. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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electronictofu Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 918 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Well dang.
I have no idea what to check next. |
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jules9 Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009 Posts: 17
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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electronictofu wrote: |
Well dang.
I have no idea what to check next. |
Is the starter jammed against the flywheel.. i once had the starter not release after cranking my engine for a while. Also any in line fuses that could of blown causing no spark to the points |
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Joey Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005 Posts: 5364 Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Died at a stop light , ideas on the cause? |
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Can you turn the engine over by hand. _________________ Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
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