Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Solved!
- dingo
- IAC Addict!
- Location: oregon - calif
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
with a cheap multimeter, a simple volt Drop test on both pos and neg sides of systems can reveal hidden failures...
'71 Kombi, 1600 dp
';78 Tranzporter 2L
" Fill what's empty, empty what's full, and scratch where it itches."
';78 Tranzporter 2L
" Fill what's empty, empty what's full, and scratch where it itches."
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- Old School!
- Location: Little Rock, AR
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Funny story regarding the ground on my Vanagon. Previous owner used a long bolt and 100 washers to create a body to ground mounting point...
1981 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia - air-cooled Type4 1970cc CV (hydraulic lifters, 42x36 valves, stock cam, microSquirt FI with wasted spark ignition)
1993 Ford F-250 XL LWB Extended Cab 7.3L IDI
1993 Ford F-250 XL LWB Extended Cab 7.3L IDI
- 56ovalbug
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Halifax - Nova Scotia - Canada
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- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Glad the problem is solved and it was an easy inexpensive fix. Don't feel bad - If the connection looked good why suspect it to be bad... especially since you checked to make sure it was tight. I wouldn't expect it to cause the bucking though. Years ago, on my '75 Westy, when my transmission to chassis ground broke the starter would barely turn the engine over but once I got it started the bus ran fine. Live & learn.
Joey
'56 Beetle|'65 Beetle|'74 Bus|'79 Panel|’60 Kombi
'56 Beetle|'65 Beetle|'74 Bus|'79 Panel|’60 Kombi
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
It may have been a combination of re-cleaning the FI grounds on the back of the plenum, the new section of TS ll wire and the improved grounding of the battery ground cable.
That's the thing about this type of problem. I will never know. You here a clunking coming from the rear of the bus. Replace the CV joint and the clunking stops. Problem identified, problem solved. As I stated before, I cannot really recall seeing a bucking problem have exactly the same cause and solution. They all seem to be unique. And when it is a problem that comes and goes, it makes knowing for sure even more of a guessing game. I do know we went from horrible running to full power and no bucking in a matter of minutes that night. So, I am reasonably sure that we may have corrected the issue.
I drove it for a total of about 70 trouble free miles this weekend. After going through so many things that did not make a difference, I am still in a state of denial that I can actually drive it again. At any rate, I put the toolbox back under the bench seat and hopefully it will stay there for a little while.
Many thanks to everyone who offered help while I slogged through this issue.
Now onto the dimly glowing alternator light....
That's the thing about this type of problem. I will never know. You here a clunking coming from the rear of the bus. Replace the CV joint and the clunking stops. Problem identified, problem solved. As I stated before, I cannot really recall seeing a bucking problem have exactly the same cause and solution. They all seem to be unique. And when it is a problem that comes and goes, it makes knowing for sure even more of a guessing game. I do know we went from horrible running to full power and no bucking in a matter of minutes that night. So, I am reasonably sure that we may have corrected the issue.
I drove it for a total of about 70 trouble free miles this weekend. After going through so many things that did not make a difference, I am still in a state of denial that I can actually drive it again. At any rate, I put the toolbox back under the bench seat and hopefully it will stay there for a little while.
Many thanks to everyone who offered help while I slogged through this issue.
Now onto the dimly glowing alternator light....
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- Randy in Maine
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Continue on with your electrical connectiions at the alternator and the voltage regulator using your volt ohm meter. The more you use it the more comfortable you will be with it. One of the most handy items anyone has in their bag of tricks.
Also have a look at the fuse box and notably at that 8 amp fuse #12 including the connection going toward it.
Also if you have not downloaded the electrical schematic for your bus using the diagram at Vintage Bus and taken it to a print shiop for printing and laminating on a 11x17" sheet, you are missing a helpful reference.
If there is a HVAC supply shop or Radio Shack near you, invest in some "De-Oxit" for exposed electical connection and coat all of those that you just cleaned with it.
Also have a look at the fuse box and notably at that 8 amp fuse #12 including the connection going toward it.
Also if you have not downloaded the electrical schematic for your bus using the diagram at Vintage Bus and taken it to a print shiop for printing and laminating on a 11x17" sheet, you are missing a helpful reference.
If there is a HVAC supply shop or Radio Shack near you, invest in some "De-Oxit" for exposed electical connection and coat all of those that you just cleaned with it.
79 VW Bus
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Yes, I need to recheck the VR connections more thoroughly. Are the alternator connections easily accessible? It looks like there are about 6 steps of removing the belt and tins before you get to the wiring harness.Randy in Maine wrote:Continue on with your electrical connectiions at the alternator and the voltage regulator using your volt ohm meter. The more you use it the more comfortable you will be with it. One of the most handy items anyone has in their bag of tricks.
Also have a look at the fuse box and notably at that 8 amp fuse #12 including the connection going toward it.
Also if you have not downloaded the electrical schematic for your bus using the diagram at Vintage Bus and taken it to a print shiop for printing and laminating on a 11x17" sheet, you are missing a helpful reference.
If there is a HVAC supply shop or Radio Shack near you, invest in some "De-Oxit" for exposed electical connection and coat all of those that you just cleaned with it.
I purchased some De-Oxit a few weeks ago and have been using it on all of the electrical connections that I have checked and cleaned.
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- Randy in Maine
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
It is not bad getting in there to do the alternator and VR connections in your own driveway.
It is worse laying in nose deep cold mud and light snow in North Dakota in November.
It is worse laying in nose deep cold mud and light snow in North Dakota in November.
79 VW Bus
- 56ovalbug
- Getting Hooked!
- Location: Halifax - Nova Scotia - Canada
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Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
My '74 has a dimly glowing alternator light - you can only see when it's dark. I've tried everything... new alternator, different alternator wiring harness , different instrument cluster, cleaned connection, fuses... nothing fixed it. It's been like that for 18 years now.
Joey
'56 Beetle|'65 Beetle|'74 Bus|'79 Panel|’60 Kombi
'56 Beetle|'65 Beetle|'74 Bus|'79 Panel|’60 Kombi
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
56ovalbug wrote:My '74 has a dimly glowing alternator light - you can only see when it's dark. I've tried everything... new alternator, different alternator wiring harness , different instrument cluster, cleaned connection, fuses... nothing fixed it. It's been like that for 18 years now.
Even different alternators, huh? I know many people live with the dim glowing light. This is a new issue for my bus. It is visible in daylight. If I had to guess I would say the bulb glows at about 20-25% of full brightness. I know the alternator is charging the battery. I will go through the checklist, but guess I won't sweat it too much at this point.
I am just glad to have a running bus.
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- dingo
- IAC Addict!
- Location: oregon - calif
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
dimly glowing light...usually indicates a bad diode in the pack. Set your meter to AC and test for ripple
'71 Kombi, 1600 dp
';78 Tranzporter 2L
" Fill what's empty, empty what's full, and scratch where it itches."
';78 Tranzporter 2L
" Fill what's empty, empty what's full, and scratch where it itches."
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
I am really lacking in electrical knowledge. Could you please explain this procedure a little more. What does having a bad diode mean? I assume that would require an alternator replacement.dingo wrote:dimly glowing light...usually indicates a bad diode in the pack. Set your meter to AC and test for ripple
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- airkooledchris
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Eureka, California
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Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
aopisa wrote: Now onto the dimly glowing alternator light....
just ignore it. mine has done that since day one, and I (for lack of more important problems to address, at that time) tried like hell to track it down. swapped/replaced all sorts of bits and pieces and while it got moderately better - it never went away.
now I think of it as a light letting me know my alternator is working, and so well that it gives me a tiny bit extra for this bulb to run all the time. it's even better than stock!
1979 California Transporter
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Great! I will apply that same theory when the oil light comes on!airkooledchris wrote:aopisa wrote: Now onto the dimly glowing alternator light....
just ignore it. mine has done that since day one, and I (for lack of more important problems to address, at that time) tried like hell to track it down. swapped/replaced all sorts of bits and pieces and while it got moderately better - it never went away.
now I think of it as a light letting me know my alternator is working, and so well that it gives me a tiny bit extra for this bulb to run all the time. it's even better than stock!
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
- Randy in Maine
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Do this....
With volt meter in hand, test the voltage before you start the bus. Note that voltage.
Start the bus and rev to about 2000 RPMs and note the voltage.
Drive it a while (like to Chicago for a pizza) and note the voltage. Drive it back to Vermont and note the voltage.
See if anything really changes. If nothing does, don't worry about it. Just drive it
With volt meter in hand, test the voltage before you start the bus. Note that voltage.
Start the bus and rev to about 2000 RPMs and note the voltage.
Drive it a while (like to Chicago for a pizza) and note the voltage. Drive it back to Vermont and note the voltage.
See if anything really changes. If nothing does, don't worry about it. Just drive it
79 VW Bus
- aopisa
- Addicted!
- Location: Vermont
- Status: Offline
Re: Return of bucking. A jinx and a curse? Possible Solution
Here is what I have found so far.Randy in Maine wrote:Do this....
With volt meter in hand, test the voltage before you start the bus. Note that voltage.
Start the bus and rev to about 2000 RPMs and note the voltage.
Drive it a while (like to Chicago for a pizza) and note the voltage. Drive it back to Vermont and note the voltage.
See if anything really changes. If nothing does, don't worry about it. Just drive it
Engine off = 12.77
Engine on = jumps to about 15.1
Engine at approx. 2,000 RPM = 14.9
Engine idling with Hi beams & radio on = 12.8
Hi beams & radio at approx. 2,000 RPM = 13.6
I have not yet left for Pizza in Chicago. Perhaps lobster in Maine, I here there is a glut? I am heading out now for a drive so I will recheck.
I have a new voltage regulator so I will also repeat with it plugged in.
1977 Westy 2.0L F.I.
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate. - Chuang Tzu