Electrical woes

[63Fiberbuggy]

Description of problem: Day 1 - buggy started fine, drove 30 minutes, tried re-start & got sluggish turn-over/wouldn't start; assumed bad battery & purchased new Day 2 - with new battery, started fine, drove 30 minutes, tried re-start & got sluggish turn-over/wouldn't start; luckily where I was located the shop had a couple "jump boxex" & tried one then two on top of my battery - - - still sluggish turn-over/wouldn't start; ended up push starting to get home Day 3 - installed new starter & re-charged battery (assumed drained), buggy started fine, drove 30 minutes, tried re-start & got sluggish turn-over/wouldn't start Day 4 - I had left buggy sitting same as Day 3, and to my surprise it started fine; appears that after cooling down, it will start.... Any Ideas what I'm missing? Thanks Bill Aiken, SC #2582

[michael cook]

check starter bushing in transmission also make sure you have a good ground hope this helps

[Lee]

I would be interested in seeing how hard it is to turn the engine over with a wrench when it's cold, then again when it's hot and exhibiting the problem. If the engine is hard to turn over with a wrench when it's hot, remove the fan belt to see if it's the engine itself or the alternator binding up. If it turns fine when it's hot but the starter cranks slowly, maybe it's the bushing like Michael suggested. A friend's Mustang had a similar issue when the power steering pump went out. The pump locked up internally, causing the engine to crank very slowly. Just trying to isolate the issue.

[mel hubbard]

This may sound crazy to you, but check out the earth on frame to battery. Had a similar problem with my buggy a few years back,, the last thing I checked out was the earth on the frame,, it had corrosion between the wire & frame,,, never looked that bad to me, but it was enough to give me the same problem,,, seemed to be only when hot too. Unlikely to be that, but an easy check.

[newmanx59]

Make sure the engine and transaxle are well grounded, don't rely on the motor mounts, VW didn't. Have you checked the ignition timing? If the timing is too far advanced, no amount of power will turn the engine over. If all else fails it's time to check the starter and bushing out.

[Jon]

I agree ~ Sounds like your timing is off.

[63Fiberbuggy]

I did remove both the grounding strap on transaxle & battery to frame wire during restoration, so maybe something is loose there, will check it out. I put a new bushing in during conversion 6 to 12 volt, so not likely that is issue. I removed belt (cold & hot) & use wrench to check tightness on generator & engine, no issues found. Curious about, "Have you checked the ignition timing? If the timing is too far advanced, no amount of power will turn the engine over." If timing is off, would it start fine cold? It starts easily on first turn-over when cold.... Headed to garage to go over grounds, thanks for suggestions....will let you know what I find. Bill

[unclejtl]

Hi, It sounds like it could be expansion due to overheat. I'm assuming (and we all know what that means! ha!) that you have adaquet oil pressure? It's hard to see from your pictures, but, it appears you have a thermostat on your motor, if so, is it working proper? I would like to know what lee asked about if you can turn it over by hand when it's hot. That would tell alot. If the flaps are not opening, you could be overheating your motor. just something else to look at. jason

[newmanx59]

Yes, If the timing is too far advanced it will/can crank fine when the engine is cold and be impossible to start/crank when the engine is warmed up. Setting the timing is the quickest and easiest check to make.

[63Fiberbuggy]

Status - I checked all the ground(s) & no issues found. I have the timing light on the workbench, but need to borrow a tach to get started. Hopefully, will get a chance to check timing today {will be 1st time I've done it, so taking baby steps}.

[unclejtl]

Well,,,,,,? just curious.

[CairoManx]

I'm with Michael Cook. Sluggish turn over sure sounds like a bad starter bushing. Its an easy fix if that's the problem. You can turn a tap into the old bushing and keep turning after it bottoms out. The bushing will back out. Use some moly lube in the new bushing.

[fubar]

Ground problems can do some wierd things. Make sure instument panel, switch panel, lamps, etc. are good. All the way to the battery if you have too. The other day my alternator was turning off and on at random along with electric fans..turned out to be a panel ground where the fan relay mounts. Also causing circut breakers to overheat on my headlights...

[63Fiberbuggy]

Sorry it took so long to repond, been out of town. Results on timing check, it appears somewhere around 25 degrees advance of TDC. I'm assuming that's within tolerance? I went over the grounding for both strap at transaxle, battery-to-body, & instrument grounds are all tight & grounded to same bolt as battery-to-body, double checked ground on fuel sending unit & all lights/signals - - - all were tight. I replaced battery, replaced starter & it has a new bushing with probably less than 10 hours on it. I'm sure it's something simple, just gotta find it....

[63Fiberbuggy]

Also, forgot to mention....While hot, I removed belt & turned both crank pulley & generator pulley with ease. Oil temp is running about 160 on a 98-degree day in the South.