1973 Volkswagen Beetle Problems

[AutoMechanic]

I can’t help much with the running part. But 73 will have big tail lights, 72 and older have smaller ones.

Have you checked on thesamba.com? That’s the best VW forum.

Yes I have my lights are the red and white with no orange they aren’t the elephant foot lights like what some people call them here is the only picture I have of the back lights.

 

[Nick1994]

Yes I have my lights are the red and white with no orange they aren’t the elephant foot lights like what some people call them here is the only picture I have of the back lights.

Ah, it’s a Frankenbug! Which is ok, many of them are.

I can’t tell from your picture, make sure you have all of the tin and a rubber seal around the engine. Otherwise it can overheat.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Ah, it’s a Frankenbug! Which is ok, many of them are.

I can’t tell from your picture, make sure you have all of the tin and a rubber seal around the engine. Otherwise it can overheat.

Never heard that name for them lol

 

[AutoMechanic]

Ah, it’s a Frankenbug! Which is ok, many of them are.

I can’t tell from your picture, make sure you have all of the tin and a rubber seal around the engine. Otherwise it can overheat.

Yes I think it’s all there.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Sure looks like a '71 to me. My father had a '71 SuperBeetle.
I say put a '56 body on that frame!

 

[AutoMechanic]

Sure looks like a '71 to me. My father had a '71 SuperBeetle.
I say put a '56 body on that frame!

Yeah I have googled some pictures of the earlier ones maybe this one has been changed I am going to ask my teacher who had it before me if he knows. The numbers go to a 1973 standard so something must of been done at one time.

 

[Trav]

No I haven’t checked that. Is that pretty simple to do? I’ve never jumped a starter I’m told the ignition electrical part commonly fails.

Very easy. Look at this first and you will get the idea. Yours possibly has another small terminal on the opposite side from this one but no matter jump to the one with the small wire going to it (probably black).

If it turns over you need to check for power at the small wire when someone turns the key, make sure battery terminals are clean and battery charged first before doing anything.
If it doesn't turn over you may be dealing with a locked up starter or bad solenoid. Try it and post back.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Very easy. Look at this first and you will get the idea. Yours possibly has another small terminal on the opposite side from this one but no matter jump to the one with the small wire going to it (probably black).

View attachment 31698

If it turns over you need to check for power at the small wire when someone turns the key, make sure battery terminals are clean and battery charged first before doing anything.
If it doesn't turn over you may be dealing with a locked up starter or bad solenoid. Try it and post back.

Thanks Trav. Also question should all of my fuses be the same color? They are all red but online looking at fuse panels they have red, white and blue in it so did someone use the wrong fuses in it?

 

[drtyler]

Red fuses are 16a. White are 8a. Most of them are 8a from the factory.

I have not verified this diagram, but it is posted on the Samba. I have a 71 owners manual. If I find it tonight, I'll post the fuse box diagram.

Thanks Trav. Also question should all of my fuses be the same color? They are all red but online looking at fuse panels they have red, white and blue in it so did someone use the wrong fuses in it?

 

[JeffKeryk]

One more thing... Make sure the engine is not locked up; it probably isn't. Try moving the crankshaft via the pully bolt or just put it in gear and push the car. I would get as much information from the previous owner such as when did it last run, etc.

Good luck and have fun with it.

 

[Trav]

Probably not, although there was a move to standardize fuse color like blade fuses are you cant trust it 100% especially when dealing with something like this. it may have some OE German made fuses still in it. The most common were reds and blue and white, the amperage will be marked on the ceramic.
The thickness of the metal strip will give you an idea if its a low or higher amp fuse, thin for low, thicker for higher.

 

[AutoMechanic]

One more thing... Make sure the engine is not locked up; it probably isn't. Try moving the crankshaft via the pully bolt or just put it in gear and push the car. I would get as much information from the previous owner such as when did it last run, etc.

Good luck and have fun with it.

Thanks. Yes I verified that before I bought it by taking a socket and breaker bar and spinning it. It last ran last May when I got it home I took the gas out of it to insure that would not be a problem too.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Probably not, although there was a move to standardize fuse color like blade fuses are you cant trust it 100% especially when dealing with something like this. it may have some OE German made fuses still in it. The most common were reds and blue and white, the amperage will be marked on the ceramic.
The thickness of the metal strip will give you an idea if its a low or higher amp fuse, thin for low, thicker for higher.

They look all the same I have some of each color that the previous owner had bought for it. The red is 16

 

[AutoMechanic]

Red fuses are 16a. White are 8a. Most of them are 8a from the factory.

I have not verified this diagram, but it is posted on the Samba. I have a 71 owners manual. If I find it tonight, I'll post the fuse box diagram.

I appreciate it

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I had a 65 bug for many years. You need to check and clean each fuse and connector first. After that check and clean any connector to and from the fuse block. Then go from there. They often just have a bad connection there when lights are an issue. Starter may have a short or just a bad connection as well. Many old VWs have been repaired by many people with varying skills.

 

[Cujet]

I wish I were nearby, I'd love to help with that cool car!!! It's been quite a while.

 

[Dinoburner]

Hsd a 66 that had no electrical problems but plenty of others, still liked it tho. Good luck OP

 

[AutoMechanic]

I had a 65 bug for many years. You need to check and clean each fuse and connector first. After that check and clean any connector to and from the fuse block. Then go from there. They often just have a bad connection there when lights are an issue. Starter may have a short or just a bad connection as well. Many old VWs have been repaired by many people with varying skills.

Thanks. I did clean the negative battery strap as it was corroded slightly. And I will be checking the fuses tomorrow the fuses are all 16 amp so I am kinda wondering if it was wrong as I looked at some diagrams and see a variety

 

[AutoMechanic]

I wish I were nearby, I'd love to help with that cool car!!! It's been quite a while.

It is fun to work on. I haven’t got to drive it not once because of this problem fortunately when my teacher who had it before me bought it he was the second owner so he knows most of what’s been done too it.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Hsd a 66 that had no electrical problems but plenty of others, still liked it tho. Good luck OP

Thanks