Das Volks Vintage Volkswagen Gruppe

Glenn wrote:Audrey,

The car has a AL78 alternator which has a solid state regulator under the back seat. There's a 3 connector plug and 2 wires that connect to the single post. Make sure that the connector is fully seated and that both wires are on the post and the nut is tight.

You think maybe this could be part of the problem? Moved the rubber cap back to get a better look and this is what I found! The wire slid right out of the connector and frayed ends are scattered.





Will put a new connector on tomorrow and see if that solves the alt light issue.

Also under the rear DS seat is this gaggle of wires and plug. Any word what this is for or maybe an auto stick relic?





GR- where under the rear seat do I find the solid state regulator?

whats the part number on that wirey box? Might be a rear window refroster relay.

It IS the rear window defog relay.

Repaired the connections to the B post on the Alternator and even found another weak link.



Stripped both wires and put on new connectors. Have to get some with smaller plastic sleeves since the yellow one won't work under the rubber cap.


The bug started up on the first crank, steady and strong but the light still burns solid so my simple fix wasn't the problem. Will explore other options but the cold doesn't make it easy to wiggle wires.

Took to the basement to get started on recovering the seats. Going with black seat covers since this oyster color doesn't pop. Dubs gave it the once over. My trusty steed!


Get the limbo line ready!!


Not much left to cush the tush!


Marine cleaned and metal ready'ed, coat of paint is next.

I have a spare regulator you can borrow to see if that fixes the problem. It just plugs in under the rear seat.

Glenn wrote:I have a spare regulator you can borrow to see if that fixes the problem. It just plugs in under the rear seat.

Got a few more things to check including if the alt is working. If none of those show me anything I'll swing by to borrow yours and see if that's the issue. I have the starter relay ground under the VR screw so I have to move it to the other side to make the plate tight. Its wedged in around the wiring harness grommet.



Sorry for the man hands!!

AoT wrote:

Sorry for the man hands!!

Sorry the nails say LADY (with dirty hands).

Spent a few hours on Thursday night checking all the connections for the alt light issue. Seems as though the plug on the three prong connection might have gotten tweaked with all the moving it took b/c after I reseated it a few times and pushed the connectors in tight it is now working again. Engine starts up and the light goes out. Today I put a meter on the battery when the car was running and it read 14.53 volts.

Have some hesitation issues going on when its being driven so need to see if I can get that sorted!

AoT wrote:Spent a few hours on Thursday night checking all the connections for the alt light issue. Seems as though the plug on the three prong connection might have gotten tweaked with all the moving it took b/c after I reseated it a few times and pushed the connectors in tight it is now working again. Engine starts up and the light goes out. Today I put a meter on the battery when the car was running and it read 14.53 volts.

Have some hesitation issues going on when its being driven so need to see if I can get that sorted!

Audry I had the same alternator in my blue blues when I first built it, and I had the same problem with the three prong plug at the alternator end , I fixed it with two long zip ties wrapped around the alternator holding the plug in place tight

and this is what it looks like when you have everything in the engine compartment

Thanks for the brews Aot!

Glenn A wrote:Thanks for the brews Aot!

Did my homework and its three up!! Look like its good!

One of my winter projects was to reupholster the seats and time's running out.

Got the old covers off and cleaned up the frames. I bought heavy duty carpet padding to go against the frame and 2" nu foam to cushion. This nu foam stuff is not rubberized so it will not dry out and crumble after years of use.

cut out the pattern of the rear bottom seat.


Padding glued around edge with contact cement.


Foam cut to size and used spray adhesive to hold in place while inverted for the fitting. I am going to blanket the foam with batting and wrap in under the frame to soften the edges and add a extra layer of cushion. Need to pick up that bailing wire to insert into the pocket before I get the cover on. Read to toss them in the dryer on a low setting to soften them up.


Hope to have the rear seats done for Saturday!

Swwwwweet

Do you do custom buggy seats too? I've always been intimidated by upholstery work. Keep it up!

very nice!!!

At the last parade, Raj noted that my blinkers and running lights were reversed. Since I haven't worked on them they have been this way since I got it. I checked to see what year the tail lights are since they are solid red lenses and they are 62-66 so I got the wiring diagram from the Samba. Based on the info all the wires were going to the wrong connectors, so by process of elimation, I found the correct spot for each but in my numerous changes and having to ground the reflector to the chassis (there is no brown ground) the DS running light was NG. Headed out to the DVG meeting and before heading home wanted to check the fuse. Not one among us had a flash light even though I had my emergency kit, so by the light of my cell phone found the bad fuse, popped in a new one and left rear running light was shining. Sure needed it on the trip home with that mini blizzard going on.
Just for the record Carol was a great assistant and now she can officially say she helped me to work on my ACVW!
Thanks for the heads up Raj, Good to know we're looking out for each other.

AoT wrote:Thanks for the heads up Raj, Good to know we're looking out for each other.

Anytime..... thats how we roll!

AoT wrote:Just for the record Carol was a great assistant and now she can officially say she helped me to work on my ACVW!

About time.

really clean looking work

B MAN wrote:really clean looking work

WOW.. B Man posts in another topic.

Glenn wrote:

B MAN wrote:really clean looking work

WOW.. B Man posts in another topic.

X2

i didnt know about that active topics option, i kinda just wondered around.. saw threads that havent been posted in a couple months and didnt wanna chime in 5 months late =/


u guys might have created a monster tho x_x

Got back to working on the rear seats last night.

The under padding is felt carpet padding and 2 inch new foam. Sprayed adhesive to the foam to stick to the padding. Put the cover in the dryer for 10 minutes and put it on the frame. There were only two of the pointed tips on the frame on each end that I caught with the side of the cover. I used a light weight wire to hold the cover in place while I went around to attach to the frame. Then I went back and put on the hog rings. This way if the tension needed to be adjusted I did not have to remove the hog rings.


there is a metal tab that sticks out from the back side of the bottom of the frame. This really cuts into the cover laying flat and even. I looked at a seat from another year and dont see this tab. Does anyone know if this is needed or can I bend it or cut it off?






Tightened up the front side of the seat and will do the rear inside when I figure out if that tab is needed or can go. Almost done and it was not too hard to do.




Half way there!!

Aud, its tough to tell from that angle, but that tab should it into a reciever in the floor under the back seat. It keeps the seat locked in place. I remember fighting with it to holy hell on my 74 before I figured out what the heck it was lol