Over heating?

[Flat4ever]

I just picked an auto stick the other day ('68 KG coupe) & was wondering if I could get some help here. The trans seems to run just fine, however after it was running at higher speeds (along with some nice inclines) for a long period I couldn't start her up again without letting it sit for about 30 minutes or so. I was thinking it might be a cut-off or something. Incedently, I never got a warning light either. It may not be working though. Is the warning light the same as the red engine light in the speedo?

Another note, I really think I like the AS so far, especially for city driving where crawling along the interstate is a normal way of life. My question is though, should the car start pretty slow from a stop? Its not that I mind, but darting out into traffic is not only a reality but a necessity where I live. Is there something wrong with the car or do I just have to adjust?

Thanks for any help.

[68AutoBug]

Hi,
VW instructed AS owners to only use 1st & 2nd gears.....
Low was for going up driveways or parking etc...
but Now people are using Low then drive 1 & then drive 2 ....
to make the car quicker in traffic....
I haven't driven mine on the road for 8+ years , plus I live in a small country town... with NO traffic lights etc....
so keeping up with the traffic won't be a problem....

I don't know what would be stopping the engine from starting though....
Make sure there are NO air leaks on the engine...
No holes to let the cooling air escape.....
heater hoses all OK, no leaks....

If the dipstick is too hot to hold... then Your engine is getting too hot....
that is a common saying here in Australia....
There is another tell tale lamp in the speedometer to tell You if the Automatic transmission Fluid is too hot..... ATF...
If this lamp comes on, change down a gear...
You can go from drive 2 down to drive 1 at 50 MPH or less....
the lamp should go out then....

Lee Noonan -- 68AutoBug -- Australia --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug



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[Dennis Flora]

Simple fix... Get a Ford selonoid and mount it under the body near the starter. Next, remove the small wire going to the starter and attach it to the S terminal of the Ford Selonoid. Next, Run a wire from the VW selonoid (Big post) to one side of the Ford selonoid, and another wire from the other side of the Ford selonoid to the little spade terminal of the VW starter. It takes less current to activate the Ford selonoid than it does to activate the VW selonoid, and this will put ample current to the keying terminal of the VW selonoid, and hot starts will no longer be a problem. Here in California, we call this the Hot Start Modification, and it really works well. It takes about 1/2 hour to do the mod.

[68AutoBug]

In My Humble Opinion...  the Ford solenoid draws too much amperage and a standard 30 ampere Bosch etc relay can be used...
these will still start the engine with very little power drawn from the battery...  I found this out after buying a few Ford solenoids on ebay to do My Beetle and My Sons Beetle.... after finding they use too much power, I used standard relay units on both Vehicles.
Luckily I have a son into old Fords and I gave Him the Ford relays....
What happens is- instead of the power going from the battery all the way to the key starter switch and then all the way back to the starter motor the power goes from the battery to the relay to the starter motor...
My relay is mounted directly above the starter motor....

Lee Noonan   68AutoBug   Australia

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Dennis Flora]

I have been putting Ford selonoids on VW's for many years, and they work great. It takes very little current to trigger them compared to the VW selonoid. You must have hooked it up wrong, cause they work fine....

[slushy]

Hi, try bypassing your neutral safety switch on the transmission before your next drive, sometimes these old switches can be worn and heat from transmission can make them fail untill they cool a bit. Remember always use proper safety practices, never attempt to start a car while underneath it, always dissconnect battery before doing any electrical work.

[NOVA Ghia Owner]

I experienced a similar problem just yesterday.  I went for a drive and went into a store.  Came back out, turned the key and absolutely nothing.  I let the car sit for a bit and then it started.  I was thinking I needed a new starter.

Is there a specific model/type Ford solenoid that should be used?

Thanks for the help.

[bookwus]

Hiya Flat & Nova,

I've been following this thread with some interest.  You see, I also have a Bus.  The "Hot Start" issue is a big one in the bus community.  That's because of the long runs of the ignition system in a bus.  These wires (most of them now more than 30 years old) build up a lot of resistance in the form of dirt and corrosion.  It takes about 9 to 10 volts to get the solenoid to kick the starter.  When the resistance in those wires limits the voltage to the solenoid you get no response.  This situation is made worse by the presence of heat (it expands the parts making more friction and consequently needing more voltage) and it was not uncommon to see a busdriver get under his bus and whack the starter/sloenoid with a hammer to free up the internals.
So, bus people know that this problem is best approached by doing two things.
1.  Clean all those ignition circuit connections until they shine.  Don't forget the transmission grounding strap either.  This alone usually clears up the symptoms.
2.  Amble on down to your VWFLAPS (the online places have this also) and get yourself a Bosch WH-1 relay kit.  The guys who designed your ignition system worked with Bosch to develop this relay for this expressed purpose.  Costs about $15.  Cheap insurance and easy to install.
Do those two things and you won't have a "Hot Start" problem in the short run or the long run.

Mike

1970 AS Bug

[slushy]

Mike's advise is very wise, and cost effective. Ive done the bosch relay modification and had great success with this procedure on many VW's. The safety switch is a common failure many mechanics often overlook, get a blue scotchlock crimp it on your safety switch wires and this will tell you if it is the problem, again, another way to eliminate replacing parts that dont need to be replaced. I think if you follow mikes advise and try the bypass if all else fails youll eliminate your problem.

[NOVA Ghia Owner]

Are there any on-line parts dealer you would recommend for the Bosch WH-1 relay kit?

I searched about a half dozen and came up with nothing - including the ones I usually deal with.

Thanks.

[slushy]

Yes, www.wolfsburg west.com, search keyword "hot start relay" or look through ignition system and youll find it.