74 vw beetle alternator problems?

Question 1
74 vw beetle alternator problems?...  I have a 74 beetle that I have put two new (re manufactured) alternators and a regulator on it. The alternator still is only putting out 12.50 volts and when I disconnect the battery terminal it dies. Do you think i got another bad alternator or is something else going on??

Answers
1)   Your alternators aren't pitting out any voltage. That's just the battery voltage you're measuring.
You're probably not getting 12 volts to the exciter lead on the alternator. I'm not sure about 74s, but some Beetles got that voltage from the idiot light circuit. If the light burnt out, the alternator didn't run. - Nomadd

2)   It's AMAZING Is this what you are looking for? http://styleasy.info/416839/battery-terminal - kozusko jans

3)   What about the regulator? It is what determines your output voltage. If it is the old-style mechanical , it will need to be adjusted.

Never disconnect either battery terminal when the engine is running. This will cause the alternator to turn full on, ruining the alternator and possibly blowing out light bulbs and electronic stuff. - Kirk

4)   Kirk is right.
Never take the battery terminal off a running car, or the alternator will quickly fry.
The only other thing I can think of worth mentioning is that if the dash light for the alternator is burned out, then the alternator will not work, because the alternator rotor gets its current to become magnetized, though this bulb. Generators have permanent magnets, but alternators don't, so need input current in order to produce output that is greater than the input.

Have the alternators and regulators tested outside the car. Most places like Autozone do this for free. Have the new one tested before installation if you are not sure. - Motorhead

5)   Check all connections to the battery. The grounds to the engine/chasis and all the power ones too.

Yours sounds like a bad main ground.


ASE Cert Auto Tech, since 1978, 2003 GLI

had to do both my A2 16v GTI's when i got the same thing happening - sci


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Question 2
Is it possible to convert a 1965 VW Beetle to an automatic transmission?...  I have a 1965 VW Beetle and I want to convert the transmission. Is this possible? And how much will that run me?

Answers
1)   It's difficult to obtain the automatics that were used in these vehicles, much less all the related parts. The automatics weren't a true automatic, you still had to shift the gears, they just had an automatic clutch, so they were never popular. There weren't even offered until 1968, and were dropped in '76. You'd really have to find a complete parts car, and see if you could make it work with the older model. Realistically it would cost more than the car is worth. - D

2)   VW used a semi-automatic transmission in some Beetles (from 1968-1976). I'd assume that if you can find one of those semi-auto transaxles, you could swap it in place of the manual and have it fit etc. Fitting a more conventional automatic transmission to the rear-engined Beetle might be more of a challenge, but I bet somebody has done it before...ask around at any VW Beetle clubs etc., you can find.

Fwiw the VW semiauto trans had to be shifted manually (via the shift lever which also actuated a vacuum operated clutch) but you don't use a clutch pedal. The transmission has a torque converter like a conventional automatic so you can take off from a stop without using a clutch pedal as well. It's automatic (clutch pedal free) but must be shifted from gear to gear by the driver. - Ben Linus

3)   There is the auto-stick shift that is clutchless.
It could easily be put in if you could find one.
They were started in 68, and not many made.

There is also the type III full automatic transmission that will easily fit the engine and mounts.
The problem is the drive axles.
The 65 had swing arms with solid axles.
The auto type III had independent rear suspension with drive shafts with flexible double universal CV joints. You would have to change the rear suspension to IRS for the axles to work.

I would suspect it would run around $1000. - Motorhead

4)   check out www.cbperformance.com or pasificcustoms.com for a automatic conversion kit for your bug, - KAM


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Question 3
Do you think a 98 volkswagen bug is a cute car?...  ...a white one.
You guys make me feel alot better...this is my first car

Answers
1)   YES!!!
so cute!! - Aub O

2)   yes! yes! yes! i used to have a 99 bug, and miss it immensely. great car, but not so much in the snow. i loved mine to death! - Dearsombody

3)   Sure, for a girl - Dave87gn


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Question 4
What sensors can you clean in a jetta 1.8t?...  I have a 2002 vw jetta 1.8 turbo
I just cleaned the IAT and now I'm working on the MAF.
I was wondering if there was any other easy sensors you can clean like maybe for the turbo or something?
If not what else is there that's cheap if not free to check on.
Thanks

Answers
1)   Run a can of Sea Foam through the intake. You would be amazed how much carbon will be removed. Leave the rest of the sensors alone. They are happy the way they are. - djaca70

2)   You did the ones that need it most often.
The O2 sensor could be done, but only if there is lots of carbon accumulation.
To avoid needing to do the IAT and MAF in the future, you could splice long tubing and metal condenser into the PCV hose, so that oil and water foam never gets up there.
In cold weather there is just too much condensation the way the system was designed.
If you can cool and condense it before it gets there, you will never have trouble with these sensor again. - Motorhead

3)   Be careful cleaning the MAF. you can very easily damage it. - Louis G


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Question 5
Old VW Beetle as an everyday car?...  So lets say you were looking for a first car and you came across a 78 VW beetle. In was in good condition and was about £1000. It's near to where you live, there's no rust on it, why not go for it?
See this is what I ask myself when i see a car like that. I would love an old beetle, but im worried that if i got one, the first winter it saw, it would rust out and die. Surely though, if i kept it in good running order (which if you knew me personally, you know i would.) And put a cover over it at night (on my driveway) it would be ok to use as an everyday car?
I can't stress enough, i am very proud of the cars that my family have owned over the years. The first sign of rust it would be straight to the body shop. .
Ok, if not a beetle, what about a Morris Minor 1000 or Ford Escort MK1 or MK2?

Answers
1)   I use a 76 camper as my daily runner. just keep the oil topped up.

For more info google VZI, biggest vw forums in europe. there's loads of tips on there. - M1

2)   They are under powered, poor braking and bad handling unsafe cars. The snow on top of the car will not cause the rust, it is the snow that gets packed under the car that will rust it. There is a reason there are not a lot of these cars left. I would suggest something else if you want a daily driver - jim s

3)   As an ex 3 time Beetle owner back in the days when they were current models i would not touch one with a bargepole today. Nostalgia is fine but common sense is better. By today's standards they are crude and basic in the extreme, the performance is woeful and the handling and braking the same. The only real safety measures are the seat belt. By today's standards they are not even economical. Even when they were being sold new they were an old design and they only sold the numbers they did as they were reputed to be the first real 100,000 mile car (when they came out the average car was getting distinctly 'tired' once it got past 65k.) but it was all a bit of a con really, they were only so long lasting and 'unburstable' because the engine was in such a low state of tune it was hard to abuse them. You would have to be a masochist to want one as a daily driver. - Fairdo4all


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