‘73 SB won’t start...

[GratefulPhish]

I also noticed that when I turned the car off there was a 1-2 second jittering of the engine.

[Starbucket]

OK check for 12 volts at wire if so you need a new cut off solonoid, it cuts off the gas by closing idle circuit to make the motor shut off and not run on (old smog control problem).

[GratefulPhish]

Would this also interrupt the starting sequence from operations correctly?

[Pruneman99]

Yes.
Turn the key to run, remove and then re-connect the blue wire at the fuel cut off valve at the base of the carb. You should hear an audible click when power is applied.

If not, it's not working.

But even if it wasn't working correctly, the engine should still fire with a shot of gas or starting fluid, even if it's just a second.

Honestly, I think you need to trash that distributor, coil and electric pick up. They are not good quality, and getting replacement parts will be tougher than normal.

Even a $35 Chinese 009 with points and a regular coil might be better. (But definitely not optimal.)

I won't trust electric pick ups anymore. Tried them twice, been stuck twice.

[GratefulPhish]

I’ve got 12+ volts tested at the idle cutoff solenoid but no click. I guess the solenoid must be defective.

[Starbucket]

[Pruneman99]

You can pull the solenoid, and perform the same test. The little plunger should shoot out and in when power is applied.

Not that I recommend such action, and if the solenoid is actually bad, you can cut off the plunger and just screw the body of the solenoid back into the carb body to plug the hole.

[GratefulPhish]

I’m going to replace the solenoid and battery ground because it’s really worn. I’m also going to add a transmission ground because I can’t find one anywhere. Hoping that will cure this starting problem.

[GratefulPhish]

Replaced the solenoid today as well as a new battery ground. Brushed the body until it shined and reconnected the ground. Tried starting and it turned over great but wouldn’t fire up. Finally it caught and I have it some gas while it was idling, I got caught putting some tools away and it stalled. Tried starting it and it turned lever like crazy, the whole car was moving but wouldn’t start. Tried twice more before the kids needed my attention. I can’t for the life of me figure out what’s going on.

[GratefulPhish]

That solenoid still isn’t functioning...I have power to the wire that connects to it but it doesn’t pull in when the key is turned. Does it need to be grounded to check? I sat it on the distributor and took a video and it didn’t seem to work.

[GratefulPhish]

[VW_Jimbo]

[GratefulPhish]

Is this distributor aligned correctly?

[Cusser]

[ashman40]

[GratefulPhish]

I tested the solenoid by ground it with jumper cables to my number. Turned the key and the plunger worked perfectly. Reinstalled it and the car fired right up! I let it run for about 15 minutes but couldn’t take it for a ride, unfortunately. I’m hopeful that the problems are fixed for now.
My next step is to try bypassing the coil as mentioned above to check for voltage loss.
If the issue is resolved, my next step is to replace the coil and distributor with these from jbugs. Thoughts?


https://www.jbugs.com/product/40611.html
https://www.jbugs.com/product/186504.html

[Michael Ambrozik]

Not sure if I read it but looking at the plug wire they look old and have little rips in the insulation. As far as buying the new coil and distributor if the problem is solved why change parts. That's just asking for more problem. If you want new part, get an bosch svda and bosch blue coil, That is what came on the car.

[GratefulPhish]

It was recommended earlier in the thread to replace my current coil/distributor because they are cheap autozone parts...

Looks like the Bosch svda is no longer available online.

[ashman40]

"If it ain't broke... don't fix it."

I'm thinking the suggestion was made when the ignition was suspected as the cause of your non-starting problem. But if fiddling with the idle cutoff solenoid got your car running once more... then you may have found your issue.

I'd still add a transmission ground strap if you really don't have one.
_________________
AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[GratefulPhish]

Yes, I need to get under there and check. I have a new one to install just in case. Thanks for all of the time and discussion, it’s really appreciated.