Engine starts but dies soon after

[gilesbowling]

My 69 has been running fine for a few months now until yesterday morning. I went out to start it before work and it started right up but died soon after I couldn't get it to start anymore. Later on that day it started just fine as if nothing was wrong. Same thing just happened any help would be great.

[Rick G]

Narrow it down to fuel or ignition.
When it does not want to run, give a shot of starting fluid, carb cleaner or dribble a little fuel into the throat of the carb and see if she fires up.

You float in the carb may be sticking, not allowing fuel into the bowl, or the little ilde cut out solenoid Hey Mama may be screwing with you.

[Kimbo]

Do you have an inline fuel filter ?, coz if not it maybe be some cr@p in the carby getting sucked into the jets with the initial gulp of fuel then floating out of the way after a period of time - and if you do have a filter, it may be time to change it. Could be the same problem at the tank end - cr@p blocking the outlet preventing fuel from getting through.

Also you might want to check the auto choke isn't getting stuck in the "shut" position.

[YoJDawg]

How would you clean out the jets if you already got crap in there? Kinda in the same boat as you Giles except now mine wont start at all. Fuel problem

[gilesbowling]

Well im definitely getting fuel just no spark now, im thinking condenser or maybe the coil.

[Rick G]

Here is a link to Rob and Daves my car won't start article. I have had the rubbing block wear down enough to make it run bad/not start 2 times, I have also burned up the ignition wire to the coil, twice. I am trying to make all possible mistakes before I retire.

http://vw-resource.com/car_wont_start.html#rotates

[gilesbowling]

Thanks Rick if the bug doesn't get towed(still at work) ill have to start troubleshooting out in the parking lot.

[Kimbo]

How would you clean out the jets if you already got crap in there? Kinda in the same boat as you Giles except now mine wont start at all. Fuel problem

Essentially you can blow them through with air, from the opposite side - however, depends on the kind of carb you have as to how easy it is to get to them - the only times I've had to do this I've been able to get the jets out of the carb without taking the carbie apart - some carbs you may need to take them apart before you can get to the jets. If you're doing any of that, check to see whether you carb's got a filter on it as well, and give that a clean too.

[VolksDragen]

How would you clean out the jets if you already got crap in there? Kinda in the same boat as you Giles except now mine wont start at all. Fuel problem

Maybe that's the reason for the bad stumble the engine had before it died (crud in the fuel system).

[YoJDawg]

Roger that... dont want to take over his thread but thanks for the help. I think my prob was crap in the fuel, was sitting for a while.

[Rick G]

Reminds me of a gem left by scottie in the joke of the day years ago

A blonde pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died.
After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly.
She says, "What's the story?"
He replies, "Just crap in the carburetor"
She asks, "How often do I have to do that?"

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/smf/index.php?topic=426.msg2698#msg2698

[gilesbowling]

Well I've replaced the ignition coil, condenser, points, distributor cap, and rotor still nothing. Im stumped any more suggestion.

[Rick G]

Are you sure you have 12V to the battery side of the coil? and point gap is close to right? and condensor grounded? if you have those things and the components are good and wired correctly you should have spark.

So when you do this you have no spark?

The following is courtesy ofAircooled.Net.


First make sure you have 12V going to Terminal 15 on the coil (the positive (+) terminal.


Pull the center wire out of the distributor with a rubber-handled pair of pliers.


Hold the end of the wire about 1/4" from one of the metal clips that hold the distributor cap on.


Have your buddy turn the engine over with the key.


There should be a nice blue spark from the end of the wire you pulled out of the center of the cap to the metal clip. The spark should look sound and strong and should be easy to see, even in daylight. If you get such a spark, the coil is like new. If you get a good strong yellow spark, the coil is getting old but is still serviceable. If the spark looks thin and weak (yellow is weak, blue is strong), then the coil windings may be giving out and you will need to replace the coil.

[gilesbowling]

Alright thanks ill give it a go tomorrow.

[gilesbowling]

Well the bug runs now, come to find out that mess of wires behind the dash was my problem. I think its time to put that new wiring harness in.

[Rick G]

I can't say this enough, be carefull with the black ignition wire. Joe sold me 2 ignition switches in less than a year because I fried the switch by the wire shorting out. Once it was my fault for being stupid, the other time, it was my fault for being careless. Fuse that puppy. Rob and Dave say to fuse it in the engine compartment, I fused it between the ignition switch and the fuse box. I even considered a fuseable link in the steering column I was so pissed the second time.

[gilesbowling]

I've thought about doing that just haven't, the car was a mess electrically when I bought it. It had a so called anti theft kill switch on it when I bought it, come to find out the kid before ripped out the ignition and jerry rigged if to the coil and starter making I a breeze to steal it eventually caught fire, I've done alot to just needs some more TLC before its perfect.

[YoJDawg]

Gone in 60 seconds.......  at 15 mph. At least that's how fast my bug can go in 60 seconds.

[gilesbowling]

That sucks

[VolksDragen]

Gone in 60 seconds.......  at 15 mph. At least that's how fast my bug can go in 60 seconds.

Mine.. 0-60 in 3.5 minutes!

[gilesbowling]

 At least both of yours will go mine is an awesome lawn ornament right now

[Paratrooper]

When I first saw this thread I remembered back to a problem I would see a lot . Someone would lose their gas cap . They would stuff a rag in the filler hole . Sometimes the rag would fall in and find the pick-up for the gas . Some gas would seep through while parked . Enough to start and get going . Then the flow would slowdown greatly. This would lead to much frustration .

[joeygs69]

ok i have a 1969 bug it runs good but it floods it slef out i'm thinking its the chock bcuz it stays shut i've tried to adjust it but it still dose the same thing or its open after warming up and the it just dies i have no clue on what to do? my first vw bug ever out it has a solex 34pict carb