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Calibugboy Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2016 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:07 pm Post subject: Bug won't start |
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So my car will crank and crank and if I hold down the accelerator with the key turned all the way so the starter runs it seems like the car starts running but the second I take pressure off the key the engine dies, regardless of what I do with the accelerator. I don't think it's a spark problem my guess now is maybe fuel but I am unsure how to approach it. Any ideas as to the problem? |
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OLD VW NUT Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2011 Posts: 2776 Location: High Desert of Washington 98823
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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Sounds like it might be a timing issue. Check your distributor to see if the locking bracket is holding. If a distributor turns on its own it'll be way too retarded to start - it'll try to start but will have nearly zero power - often not enough to run on its own. _________________ 71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore
Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI |
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Calibugboy Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2016 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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OLD VW NUT wrote: |
Sounds like it might be a timing issue. Check your distributor to see if the locking bracket is holding. If a distributor turns on its own it'll be way too retarded to start - it'll try to start but will have nearly zero power - often not enough to run on its own. |
The problem is I just had the timing checked by a mechanic. I don't think it could have messed itself up in such a short amount of time |
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OLD VW NUT Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2011 Posts: 2776 Location: High Desert of Washington 98823
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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All the more reason to check it. No mechanic is infallible. It was the last thing that was worked on right? I always start my troubleshooting where I last worked things over. Check that the points are opening too - this symptom you have also indicates closed points which won't allow the coil to build the field necessary to make spark.
This could be an ignition switch problem too. You can check that very easily by running a long wire from the battery hot side to the hot side of the coil - your ignition will be on as soon as you make the connection - crank the engine - if it starts easily and runs once you return the key to the run position you're likely looking at a bad ignition switch. As long as your ignition key is in good shape just get the switch - the key/tumbler assembly comes off easily once the steering wheel is removed.
You might want to post the year of your car - motor - carb - dist etc in order to get a good idea of what you're dealing with. _________________ 71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore
Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI
Last edited by OLD VW NUT on Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Calibugboy Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2016 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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OLD VW NUT wrote: |
All the more reason to check it. No mechanic is infallible. It was the last thing that was worked on right? I always start my troubleshooting where I last worked things over. Check that the points are opening too - this symptom you have also indicates closed points which won't allow the coil to build the field necessary to make spark.
You might want to post the year of your car - motor - carb - dist etc in order to get a good idea of what you're dealing with. |
My car is a 1974 beetle with a 1600cc engine. Carb is a 34 I believe |
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OLD VW NUT Samba Member
Joined: February 23, 2011 Posts: 2776 Location: High Desert of Washington 98823
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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I added info to my second post regarding the ignition switch. _________________ 71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore
Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31392 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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Calibugboy wrote: |
it seems like the car starts running but the second I take pressure off the key the engine dies, regardless of what I do with the accelerator. |
Classic symptoms of faulty electrical portion of the ignition switch. Note that there is nothing wrong with the key/tumbler cylinder. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Bob Brugge Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2015 Posts: 721 Location: Missoula, MT
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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Bad Bad bug boy, no double posts about the same thing...Did you think you would get a different set of answers?
Don't feel too terrible, I have done it too... _________________ Keep on Dubbin'! |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13852 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Bug won't start |
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What I would do is to hot wire it. See if it starts. You may have to disassemble the switch. I suspect the rear of the switch has pushed back in its housing. Yes it has happened, so tighten up the switch bet it works. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69834 Location: Phoenix Metro
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