Trouble with ignition system

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Trouble with ignition system

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Volkswagen Forum >> VW MODELS >> Volkswagen Beetle >> Trouble with ignition system

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Trouble with ignition system - 11/3/2007 6:39:53 PM

ColdPhreze

Posts: 5
Joined: 11/3/2007
Status: offline

Hello, and thanks for any help.

We were working on my bro's 69 beetle, and he accidently shorted the two terminals on the coil while the coil was powered (the +12v coil input was shorted to the terminal the tach attaches to). The bug also has an electronic distributor. We were in the middle of replacing the +12v wire to the coil when this happened during a test. Before this the vehicle did start Ok. After the short it will not run. I don't get spark.

My question: Could this short have damaged the coil, tach, or electronic distributor? If so, which is the most likely culprit?

Thank you!

Post #: 1

RE: Trouble with ignition system - 11/4/2007 5:01:56 PM

Smokin Dog

Posts: 286
Joined: 10/25/2007
Status: offline

Just a guess, I believe I would go for the distributer, The short
wont hurt the coil, could have damaged the tach, but all you
have to do is unplug the tach and go from that point. Also check
to see if you have current on the +12 volt going to the coil, some
of those bugs had the coil on a fuse. That was a wireing goof from
VW.

(in reply to ColdPhreze)

Post #: 2

RE: Trouble with ignition system - 11/4/2007 5:06:04 PM

Smokin Dog

Posts: 286
Joined: 10/25/2007
Status: offline

Forgot to tell you, if it is on a fuse, the fuse will be with all the
other fuses in their little box at the dash, if it's still factory in that
area.

(in reply to Smokin Dog)

Post #: 3

RE: Trouble with ignition system - 11/9/2007 4:28:23 PM

ColdPhreze

Posts: 5
Joined: 11/3/2007
Status: offline

Thanks. I'll try to get one to swap out and let you know.

The bug isn't standard at all. Here's a list of what I can remember off the top of my head:
Fully customized fiberglass dash
new gauges (I think sunpro)
LED dash indicators
old style ford steering column (not sure what it came from)
custom steering wheel
custom wide fiberglass fenders
lowered
oversized rear tires (height and width)
chopped top so the windows are only about 8" tall all around
new wipers for short windshield
custom side mirrors
interior floor cut out and dropped for more leg-room
custom front and rear seats
soft roll-top
lots of chrome in the engine
shaved handles
led taillights
new stereo, 6x9s, and a 10" sub behind rear seat

It was built by a couple of my uncles as a family project, and then set for 8 years, full of gas. We got it running after a while, and after a new carb it ran great until it started dying at random - and we traced it to the mechanical fuel pump. Replaced it with an electric, and during that is when the accidental short occurred. I trusted my bro with a multimeter and he forgot to change it from the high-amp setting to volts...Oops lol.

Coldphreze

(in reply to Smokin Dog)

Post #: 4