Just started driving my 1960 6v beetle everyday... she's just been serviced but have noticed when I'm driving that the red dash light has been flickering whenever I'm idling... in the morning she'll also stall whenever I stop for the first couple of times... (I do warm her up for a bit before I start driving)
The light has been coming on more in the past couple of days sometimes when down shifting as well...

Is it something to do with the electrical system? Headlights also go dim and then bright whenever I accelerate...never has a problem starting up though...

Any ideas on what is wrong?
Thanks,
Karly.

the headlights sound normal i get that on my 72 sbug, but its sounds like a slow idle or the brushes in the generator are worn

From the little bit of VW stuff I have picked up so far, I'd be looking at the idle. My 69 bug won't idle for a few mins in these cold mornings and when it is running low and rough the red gen light comes on until it dies when it stays on. Once the idle is happy (ie engine warm) it is fine. My 76 Kombi used to do the same.

I am not yet aware of the choke system (auto, etc) on these things but assume you need to either crank up the idle slightly or just put up with the warming up process. On a cold morning here I have to juggle feet when pulling up to keep revs on the engine to stop me from stalling at an intersection.

I'd say no biggy here, however love to keep in contact as I have a 60 bug which I'll be starting the work on somewhere in the next few months.....

thanks for the advice...

adjusted the idle and she's much better now ...will check out the generator if it keeps happening...

I've never used the choke when starting her...bought her off the original owner who has also never used the choke...funny thing is now she won't start if you do use it will just have to get used to feet juggling for the first couple of intersections as she warms up...

hope work on your '60 goes well phantom

I would be using the choke rather than feeding more fuel into the engine to keep it going.. so long as You remember to push the choke back in... thats why later Beetles have automatic chokes... You just push the accelerator down once to activate the automatic choke, start the car and drive away.
and the choke turns itself off... automatically...
Phantoms 69 Beetle should have an auto choke !!
Why isn't it working?? makes the world of difference... Lee


I remember a story in the late 50s about a woman who was having problems with Her Beetle and dropped it in to the local VW Mechanic... He tuned it up, replaced the points and spark plugs etc... The woman picked it up, and a few minutes later she was back... "Its not going right" she said.. so He jumped in it and drive down the road.. it went great, so He checked the engine and couldn't find anything wrong, & returned the car to Her... Away she went again, only to return again.... "Its still not going right" She said... so the Mechanic again drove down the road, around the block and back... it went great... So, the woman got back in, and drove away... only to return again... The mechanic scratched His head... and said to the woman "You drive Me around the block and Show me whats happening to the car" The mechanic sat in the passenger seat and the woman got into the drivers seat and promptly placed her rather large handbag's handle onto the choke knob.. pulling the choke out at the same time... The remedy was rather simple...
Place Your Handbag on the floor behind the seat!!!!

Lee