Charging system issues?

Asked by mridaho8 Aug 07, 2012 at 12:29 AM about the 1976 Volkswagen Beetle

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1976 Baja that I just replaced the alternator on and I'm still not getting a good charge. It dies
when I pull the positive line off the battery. There is a good reading on the alternator its self and the
batter is charged. Could there be something wrong with the charging system somewhere? If so what do
you think it would be?
Thanks for your help!

3 Answers
8,035

Scott answered 11 years ago

Get the battery tested...free at most auto parts stores. Sounds like it may be shorted internally. Hopefully you didn't put tap water in it.

Mark helpful
135

RussRuss answered 11 years ago

Also, double check the connections are clean and very tight, and check the ground wire's integrity. Often times a bad ground will cause a lot of heat/resistance.

Mark helpful
3,155

Chris answered 11 years ago

Do you have the generator light in the speedo hooked up? If this light is NOT hooked up and working, your alternator will NOT charge.

3 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Charging system issues? 3 Answers

    I have a 1976 Baja that I just replaced the alternator on and I'm still not getting a good charge. It dies when I pull the positive line off the battery. There is a good reading on the alternator its...

    1976 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • cooling system 1 Answer

    Is there a diagram or pictures showing the linkage for the cooling system and thermostat for a 36 hp motor? Thanks Dave

    1960 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • My generator isn't charging my 1970 vw beetle 2 Answers

    I own a 1970 VW beetle and my battery isn't charging. I've bought and polarized my generator and I've also bought a new voltage regulator. Is there anything that I can do to fix it?

    1970 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Anyone having electrical issues with their 2008 beetle? 1 Answer

    My beetle is driving me crazy. I've almost had it 2 years, I'm the second owner and it has 166k miles on it. It just recently started to have issues! The brake lights refuse to work only late at ni...

    2008 Volkswagen Beetle SE

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Fresh air hose connection from the fan shoud to the heater boxes with an after market exhaust system 1 Answer

    I have a Euro Tuck exhaust system and when I connect the heater hoses from the fan shoud to the heater boxes the headers from cylinders 2 & 4 burn holes in the hoses. Is there a coupling that can be p...

    1974 Volkswagen Beetle

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Beetle

Looking for a Used Beetle in your area?

CarGurus has 178 nationwide Beetle listings starting at $1,495.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Volkswagen Beetle Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    3,200
  • #2
    Chris Billings
    Reputation
    2,930
  • #3
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    2,110
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Civic
206 Great Deals out of 4,071 listings starting at $2,877
Used Toyota Corolla
143 Great Deals out of 2,269 listings starting at $3,495
Used FIAT 500
9 Great Deals out of 122 listings starting at $2,888
Used Chevrolet Camaro
22 Great Deals out of 471 listings starting at $11,999
Used Volkswagen Golf
29 Great Deals out of 534 listings starting at $4,995
Used Honda Accord
52 Great Deals out of 978 listings starting at $2,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.