Hi all,
I just put a new stereo in my beetle and powered it all up. All was well when I put it in a few weeks ago. Nothing huge, just a head unit.
Today I was hooking up speakers and realised that I had blown the fuse for the ignition. I replaced it and got the lights in the speedo lighting up again.
But, when I turn the key to crank the engine,I get nothing.
I had a feel of the coil and it was bloody hot.
So, any ideas? I thought it was my distributor cap, as I had changed it recently for a clear blue one, so I replaced the original and still am getting nothing.
I'm using a fully charged jump start unit without a battery in the car.
Any suggestions as to what I should do next?
clear dissy caps are for show only
have u left the ignition on for any lenght of time without the engine running?
just hold the coil HT lead about 10mm from something metal and have some crank it over see what ur sparks like
sounds like ur coils nuked
not a GT40 by chance? theyre shockers for doing that
Backfeeding from the stereo unit to the ignition system! Check your wiring
I've tried removing the power leads to the stereo and I'm still getting nothing.
No, it's not a GT40, it is one of the silver ones - I think it is stock.
Haven't had a chance to check the spark yet, will do this arvo.
I'll pick up a new coil this week and try a swap out.
Thanks for the advice.
i had a similar problem in one of my other cars and it was the coil, aparently they can develop hairline cracks internally and they crap themselves...
Im still running a silver one in the pig, but mines constantly warm ..
schnell!! schnell!! schnell!! schnell!!
Would a GT40 coil be OK to run with a stock engine? Seeing as I'm likely looking for a replacement.
I put a new GT40 coil in and was getting the same result - so I traced the wiring back and found out the problem.
Turns out when I put the glove box back in, I knocked out the positive cable from the ignition switch. Not sure why the coil was getting hot, but that was the problem.
Coil possibly getting hot because you had the ignition on for a while testing your new stereo.
If that is the case what you need is an accessory position on the ignition switch. If its the super bug you are working on there is a function of the ignition switch that you can use for accessory position.
There are two skinny spade terminals in the main plug behind the switch. They 'make' when you put the key in, they were for the seat belt warning system on the US models.
Use that switch to power the 'ON' signal for modern stereos or to drive a relay to switch the main supply for older stereos.
I found that info here or on the Samba recently, and done my own car already.
its the SU terminal on 71 onwards superbug ignition switches
its for the door ajar key in warning buzzer, so u dont lock your keys in,
I do it with all mine too but 9 times outta 10 u will need to replace the ignition switch before it works
the little brass contacts have a habit of breaking off
