Troubleshooting a 1974 Volkswagen
- 1). Check out all the cables and connections of your 1974 Volkswagen. Start with the power wires connected to the battery. Loose power wires can result in the vehicle not starting or losing power for no reason while on the road. Check the ignition wires and starter wire. The wiring and connection in older vehicles may be bad. Time can loosen connections and wires may be frayed. Turn the key in the ignition if the vehicle does not start (while doing this listen to the starter). The starter should click if it is working. If it is not clicking, then it likely needs to be replaced.
- 2). Examine the fuel pump. The fuel pump supplies a steady stream of fuel to the engine. The supply varies according to the amount of fuel needed by the engine at any given time. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning then it may not deliver a steady stream -- this can result in sporadic acceleration and jerky starts. If the pump is not functioning entirely then the vehicle will simply not start at all.
- 3). Clean the fuel and air filters. It is important to keep both of these components clean, as they guard the engine from harmful debris and sediments. Over time and when not frequently cleaned these filters can accumulate blockages. These blockages slow down the flow of air and fuel, and the engine does not get what it needs. Cleaning both of these components is fairly simple. If the filter is broken or has a hole or crack it needs to be replaced.