About Rick O. Expertise Classic, aircooled (rear engine) 1949-1979 VW's, specializing in electrical problems, fuel injection, and Type 181 "The Thing".
NOTE: I have limited experience on water-cooled VWs (Rabbit, Golf, Jetta, etc...) but I am glad to help to the extent of my knowledge, due to the fact there are currently no other experts registered for these models.
Experience 15 years of aircooled VW ownership and maintenance.
Publications Wikipedia, VW Beetle
Education/Credentials Retired US military Electronics Tech/Master Training Specialist, Civilian Computer engineer.
Question Hi, my super beetle (1978) doesn't seem to want to run. I turn the ignition, it starts right up, sounds fine for a couple seconds, and unless I keep the throttle revved , it dies immediately. My first guess was a vacuum leak, but I haven't got a clue how to investigate to verify this, much less fix it. Any ideas?
Thanks, Eric
Eric,
I believe the fuel pump switch is misadjusted or the air flap is binding, both are inside the air flow meter. See here for an explanation of the circuit:
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