Really need help

Dirty Bugger · 19-09-2008, 05:20 PM

Im at a loss with the bug. I physically can't replace anything more.

Still off the road. Managed to get a full 3 days driving before it fucked up again.
It just will not start. Timing isnt perfect i know this much but its enough to fire. It will fire every so often after playing with the dizzy for a while but then cuts out straight away.

Today, it just stopped altogether. not even turning over. Just clicking.

Now bear in mind that this is:
*a 1600 engine that has done about 400 miles.
*Had twin carbs, told they were the problem. Changed them for weber 34 ICT's ( about 6 hours old) - same
*Starter motor has been in about a month
*All electrics are brand new
*getting a good spark
*Has fuel
*Flamethrower coil (about a week old)
* electronic ignition (about a week old)

Why the hell has it stopped turning over on a brand new starter motor

And when it does turn over. Why the hell will it not start.

Im contemplating selling it and getting out of the aircooled game completely. In 4 years its been running for 1 of them. Waste of time and money.

Rob+Jackie · 19-09-2008, 06:12 PM

don't give up hope
Its only a chunk of metal,just a bunch of simple operations that should work together to provide forward motion for your bug

To me it sounds like starter solienod is stuck,try giving it a tap with mallet while someone holds the key in start postion.

some obvious things to check...not meant to sound condesending....is the dizzy tight?,is rotor arm good?is there a spark at plugs?fuel?is it getting to carbs?
did it just stop? or were there any symptoms 1st??

Rob

Dirty Bugger · 19-09-2008, 06:22 PM

It's getting fuel to the carbs no prob. Rotor arm is good. Dizzy loose was the cause of the problem so is tight now. Starter motor was my first thought but it's brand new. And no symptoms. It just stopped cranking when setting the timing.

19-09-2008, 08:11 PM

could be elecrical problem either a bad contact or faulty ignition switch. does the starter click or is it dead when you turn the key.
just re read your post, posibly a bad earth gearbox to pan or battery leads. quick check is a jump lead from engine to battery - that sort of eliminates all earth connections if it is still u/s.
the connection on the solenoid can be problems did you clean them up before tightening the nut

Tricky · 19-09-2008, 10:20 PM

yep as above - check the wiring.

I presume it will turn over by hand - i.e. not siezed ! ?

take off and clean with sand paper all the battery / starter motor / and earth strap connections and put back together nice and tight.

if you have a multi meter , check the resistance between the battery neg and the body/engine/gearbox earth as you crank. It should stay zero.

big lesson - if you havent already learned it..... Just cuz somthing is new/nearly new, doesn't mean it works ! remember that one always

where's the car ? if its this end, I'll come and have a look if you want ?

Rich

Dirty Bugger · 19-09-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky

yep as above - check the wiring.

I presume it will turn over by hand - i.e. not siezed ! ?

take off and clean with sand paper all the battery / starter motor / and earth strap connections and put back together nice and tight.

if you have a multi meter , check the resistance between the battery neg and the body/engine/gearbox earth as you crank. It should stay zero.

big lesson - if you havent already learned it..... Just cuz somthing is new/nearly new, doesn't mean it works ! remember that one always

where's the car ? if its this end, I'll come and have a look if you want ?

Rich

car is in newcastle mate. One of the battery leads (think its the positive) is properly worn. It will turn over by hand but has got a tight spot. Dunno if thats normal. And new things should work. its the law.

Still given up with it. usually my anger wears off after an hour or so but im still fuming.

Tricky · 20-09-2008, 07:38 AM

worn battery leads are no good

nor is poor timing

you really need to get everything sorted and spot on when trying to diagnose a problem like this.

It only take a few minutes to set the timing and a few more to put on a new battery pos lead (the one that goes straight to the starter !! )

Aircooled engines will run a treat and never let you down IF you keep everything spot on, but they run like a bag'o'shit or not at all if they are 'nearly right'

it'll save you alot of grief in the long run

hope you have slept well and feel better about it today

Tricky · 20-09-2008, 07:53 AM

oh , and the tight spots will be the compression, you should get 4 of them with the plugs in

20-09-2008, 08:03 AM

Yep, sounds like battery not getting full power to starter. Get your new pos connection sorted and make sure its nice and tight on the battery. You need to make sure the battery is fully charged and has a very good connection. Even more important on a brand new engine as everything will be quite tight on the inside still. Therefore it will take full effort to turn it over. Good luck

Dirty Bugger · 20-09-2008, 08:36 AM

just checked and it's the negative that's worn. And we have been trying to set the timing for days. That's what makes me think there's more to it.