AoT's White Wonder

[AoT]

it might be me hitting a short somewhere!!

Love the elephant, gave me a good giggle. Need to keep doing that since the magic wand isn''t workin so well lately!!

[volksbugusa]

did you find the short? If not I am home the week of the 28th i am willing to come over and help you find the issue?

let me know Matt

mdazzo@optonline.net

[AoT]

did you find the short? If not I am home the week of the 28th i am willing to come over and help you find the issue?

let me know Matt

mdazzo@optonline.net

Got the word that I'm off Monday the 28th, if you still want to take a look. Let me know if that still works and what I need to have ready. Thanks.

[AoT]

Well, the wonder did not roll today as I had hoped.

After testing the battery with the meter and seeing that it had a charge (12.59), and after 20 minutes on the charger up to 15.77, went through the fuses to see if any of them were drawing down the battery. The meter didn't move much but some of the fuses crumbled. It seems that some of the ceramic fuses from way back when were still in place and after I took them out there was not much to put back. I did a check on the light and signals and determined that they are working again so it is not a battery issue. Uh-oh!! Will have to go back to this after I get some repalcements.

Checked with GA about the wiring for the starter. Got the car jacked up and checked the ignition connector on the solenoid. The outer casing is shot but it was connected. Gave it a pinch and a squeeze and reseated it. Tried to start the car but only get that single click. The gauges and light respond.


Followed the suggestions of putting a screwdriver across the soleniod terminals and got some sparking and then put the screwdriver across the battery terminal and ignition connector and got more sparks. Obviously this thing has some life to it, but no engine start so got out the hammer and gave it a few wacks but still no go.

Any other ideas/suggestions before a new starter is in order?

[Brown]

Did you have the meter on amps and installed in series to see if there is any draw on the battery when everthign is supposed to be off?

[Tom]

Did you clean the ground wire to the chassis ?

[AoT]

Did you have the meter on amps and installed in series to see if there is any draw on the battery when everthign is supposed to be off?

Not sure what this means.

Did you clean the ground wire to the chassis ?

Will check tomorrow and the area under the battery, as well as clean the connectors .


The battery is def charged. The headlight and panel lights are perky, and there's no dimming when keyed to start. Reading up on replacing the starter.

[Brown]

I thought you wanted to see if there was something draining the battery. to do that you have to measure the current draw. if there is nothing draining the battery then there will be no current draw. if there is a current draw then something is draining the battery.

To measure current you set your meter to measure amps.. the meter must be in "series? between the battery + terminal and the battery lead (which is detached from the battery)

in other words. remove the positive battery cable. Connect the red lead of the meter to the batter pos terminal. COnnect the black ,ead of the meter to the positive battery cable (which you disconnected)

The meter needs to be set to measrue amps and the meter leads need to be in the correct holes on the meter.

[volksbugusa]

Aot
Just read your post...sorry Are you still jammed up?

[AoT]

Aot
Just read your post...sorry Are you still jammed up?

Matt:
I know you got tied up with your own engine but I made some progress. Glad to read that you got your issue resolved. Hope you'll share the details so we can all learn from it.

Spent today replacing all the fuses. The PO had 16 amp fuses in 8 amp slots so I replaced all the fuses with the correct amps. Got both rear tail lights back working with both of them burning both filaments (that's for you GA!!) and now getting started on the front headlights. The one that works is very corroded on the connection so now I am going to trouble shoot why the left one is not working. Need this going to get to a DVG meeting!!

With some of the testing (or non-testing, LOL) that I have been doing it does not seem that the battery or current draw is the issue but more likely the starter. Everything just seemed to go gahflooey all at once so I want to get these electrical connundrums figured out before I replace the starter.

[volksbugusa]

Aot
What year is your bug? Sometimes I like just pulling the harness contacts and cleaning every contact and ground with contact cleaner and steel wool 0000 that can be purchased at auto zone .Also remove the fuse box and clean everything up real good even down to wiping with steel wool 0000 on all the contact lugs until you see bright brass showing and also where the fuse sits.Do the same on the ends of each wire contact.and then reinstall. Of course the older the car the easier to read a wire diagram. Every point of contact on a switch has a number under the point of connection look real close. A lot of folks would tell you this action is to extreme.But if your issues don't clear up it is the only way to attack the issue. When power sources do not , work most of the time it is due to dirt and bad grounds. When amps are not flowing correctly it can cause all sorts of bad things even down to burning out bulbs prematurely.Keep me in the loop

[AoT]

Went back to troubleshoot the headligths and after swapping out the good light onto both connections, it is the left lamp that has gone bad and not the connection. Will order 2 new ones and replace since the one that works has lots or corrosion. The little drain hole in the headlight well was plugged up and it seemed to add the problem. Since these fenders will be replaced with new ones I want to be sure all the lamps and chrome are good. The hardware that was used to hold these in place has caused lots of rust stains down the front. Since all the issues had me thinking it was electrical it seems as that is not the case so on to plan B. Still have to clean up some of the wiring after I get this running again.

Since I wasn't doing the Polar Bear race today I opted to take a plunge of a different kind and got myself ready to remove the starter. Had all the right tools ready, disconnected the connections to the battery and jacked up the right side of the car. Put the jack stand in place and set up good lighting (bought one of those halogen works lights). Took off the connection to the soleniod and loosened the nut on the D bolt. Got the lower connection on the starter off and had my Meg hold the nut on the D bolt while I worked it back and got it done. Will try to get the new one in tomorrow, but needed to get off the cold concrete for today.


This is what greeted me when got it out from under.


Out with the old


In with the new


Any suggestions or words of advice before I try the return trip?

[Glenn]

Wow...

No tricks other than getting the nut stated on the D bolt.

[volksbugusa]

Aot
Removing a starter can sometimes be a real pain.You did a great job . I like the pink workmat that you are using. GOOD JOB on finding the headlight issue. Do you have a volt meter? Didn't you also mention that all of your rear light bulbs burnt out. Just make sure that on all the connections that you have around 12 volts. Way over 12 volts would burn out any bulb installed over a short period of time. Happy New Year

[Tom]

You don't have to order the sealed beams , Pep boys has them. BTW , nice job removing the starter.

P.S. Invest in a creeper , keeps your back off the cold floor !

[Glenn]

Audrey called me earlier this afternoon and I heard a VW running in the background. I give her major props for getting under there and getting the job done.

This just proves that with a little knowledge, some mechanical ability and the guts to give it a try anyone can work on a aircooled VW. And isn't that one of the reasons we love them. I know of many so called men, that wouldn't try what Audrey has done.

I now proclaim that AoT is now longer a newbie and has advanced to the rank of "Gearhead 1st Class".

Congrats.

[AoT]

Thanks GR!!

Yes.its official, I have successfully removed and replaced the starter start to finish. I put the new one in today, got all the bolts tightened (Thanks GR for the duct tape suggestion, it did the trick, got the D bolt on the first tickle) and on the first crank it turned right over. SWEET!! Took it for a spin around the neighborhood to give the battery some juice but didn't venture to far since it was missing a headlight and did not want NCPD to have a field day issuing tickets.

Went I got back I put the newly purchased halogen headlights in place to be sure the connections are good. They're working. Brought the mounting brackets inside to work on getting them cleaned up a bit and then I'll put the headlamps in place.

My stars are brighly shining...


Rear light are in sync..


As GR will atest, the wonder is purrring again!!

[Glenn]

Your headlights sure are Perky.

[AoT]

Your headlights sure are Perky.

Got to keep them in the family!!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Aud, Its tough to tell from the pics, but it looks like they might be in on an angle. I believe the focusing of the sealed beams is dependant on them being in 'upright' check the pattern on the front of the lense, or on the back of the bulb there would be a nipple (hehe) that Ive always understood meant 'up' you might tell easier, (that is if they are in on an angle) as the light may point off in a sideways direction. The adjuster buckets can help too...

Lookin good! I think the White Wonder will see the pavement before Reise!

[Glenn]

Mike, they're just laying there. She took the retaining rings inside to clean them up.

Brought the mounting brackets inside to work on getting them cleaned up a bit and then I'll put the headlamps in place.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

<-------the fool

Sorry Aud, I thought you were talking about the trim rings.
Sorry!

Looking great anyways!

[Glenn A]

I can picture the big silly smile on your face! Great Job audrey! Pretty soon Manny is going to be calling You to work on his cars!

[volksbugusa]

Audrey
Good for you.Looking nice and bright. Matt

[Big_kid]

Well done!
Wanna work on a buggy next?