Aussieveedubbers · Tech Talk

What did I break and how do I fix it?

https://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/threads/86814/what-did-i-break-and-how-do-i-fix-it

btc-er ·

I was changing spark plugs this afternoon and managed to short one of the spade connectors on the voltage regulator (?):



🙁 Now the starter motor wants to keep running when I start the car. I can (thankfully) get the start motor to stop spinning by twisting the key anti clockwise slightly in the ignition. But that's certainly not how it was this morning.

Any guesses as to what I might have killed? Ignition switch? Starter motor? Voltage regulator?

Is it going to be a job for an auto electrician, my friendly mechanic, or is it another chance for me to display my (pretty dodgy) DIY skills?

ian.mezz ·

could be the ignition if you giggle the key and it stops. does the car keep running and you drive off .

btc-er ·

Yep, the car keeps running and I can drive it. So all in all it's not a total disaster. I would like to fix it though.

ian.mezz ·

what year vw , some of those ignition only cost about $30 I think mick motors sell em .

vlad01 ·

what? how did that affect your starting? that wire is the charge wire that goes to the + on the battery. Has nothing to do with starting.
Has to be a coincidence? ❓

Anthiron ·

sound like your ignition switch is faulty. nothing to do with the regulator and connecting wires. try hot wiring your car using the wires from the ignition switch. if you dont get the problem then u know its the swtich. i recently got one from classic vee dub for 25 or so.

Nicko

vw54 ·

the electrical part of the switch is buggared

do u have a big bunch of keys attached if so reduce it to just the ignition key and see if it still happens

btc-er ·

It could be a coincidence, although everything was well after I adjusted the valves yesterday morning. I left her as she was and then came back in the arvo to install the new spark plugs. I bumped the connector when I changed #1 and then started her up after changing the other 3 and "OMG WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NOISE!"

The car is a 1961 (ish) model that has been converted to 12v. She has a relatively new 1600TP motor.

I tried with just the ignition key and it still does it. I'll have a crack at hotwiring it when I get a chance. Any tips on how to hotwire it?

Joel ·

vlad01 wrote:what? how did that affect your starting? that wire is the charge wire that goes to the + on the battery. Has nothing to do with starting.
Has to be a coincidence? ❓
Early VWs like this the B+ went from the battery to the regulator via the B+ on the starter motor, although thats just coincidence, in this case I'll bet its the contacts in the ignition switch have gone bad

68AutoBug ·

btc-er wrote:I was changing spark plugs this afternoon and managed to short one of the spade connectors on the voltage regulator (?):



🙁 Now the starter motor wants to keep running when I start the car. I can (thankfully) get the start motor to stop spinning by twisting the key anti clockwise slightly in the ignition. But that's certainly not how it was this morning.

Any guesses as to what I might have killed? Ignition switch? Starter motor? Voltage regulator?

Is it going to be a job for an auto electrician, my friendly mechanic, or is it another chance for me to display my (pretty dodgy) DIY skills?

I'm guessing its Your ignition switch
which is easily changed... and cheap to buy...

to start the engine, turn the ignition ON
then climb under the car and with a screwdriver...
placed between the two large copper nuts on the starter solenoid...
they may be sparks.... lol
make sure the hand brake is on
and its in neutral....
better still have some one sitting in the drivers seat with their foot on the brakes.... lol and the accelerator..

Many cars still have the original ignition switch which is now well and truly worn out....

cheers

LEE