On the way back from VW Sweetcorn at the weekend I experienced my first VW breakdown. Fortunately it was not mine but a very nice beetle that was stuck halfway up a hill. Having pulled up at the top of the hill (I don't trust the handbrake cables), I walked back. The guy said the bug would turnover but not fire. After apologising for my 'numpty' level of mechanics I suggest he tried to see if he could get a spark to jump across from a ht cable. Nothing. So I thought maybe it was points, condenser, rotor arm not providing a spark in the dizzie. Nothing. Then again, it was electronic ! Ok, power to dizzie comes from the coil so is there anything from the short lead ? Nothing. Checked all leads for connections plus he already swapped over the coil. Now I was out of ideas so we pushed him off the road at the top of the hill so he could call the breakdown service. Unfortunately they did not have their insurance details (with breakdown number) in the car ! Fortunately they could remember the name of the company and with the wonders of an iPhone I was able to get the 24hr number. I could not do much more and they were happy to stay with their car so I jumped back in the van and carried onto home. Coming back to the breakdown itself, was I/we on the right track ? He was trying to arc the leads to the block by holding a screwdriver from the ht lead to the block. Was there anything else we could have tried ? I know I cannot help him now and I trust he got home ok, but any feedback may help me or another 'numpty' in a similar situation.
Had he been getting power he ran the risk of a severe electric shock by using a screwdriver to arc the HT lead to the block! Best advice is that when you spot a numpty breakdown and do a thing like that is walk away. If you're the numpty making the suggestion consider telling others to walk away
No I wanted to leave the plug in the lead ! And away from the plug hole (vapours). Seriously though, what should have been the checks ?
I think 'severe' is a bit strong joker, 20,000 volts, but not enough amps to kill(unless he had a pace maker) If you're testing for a spark, it's best to remove a spark plug and lie it on the block, then you can get someone to turn it over and watch for the spark across the gap.
^this. Plenty of volts, but little current. Makes you sit up and pay attention, but that's about it. Seems cruel, but I would've driven quietly by. I've stopped far too often for folk who're driving something that's in such a state, it shouldn't have left their driveway...
That's the thing though. This Bug was spotless, not only bodywork and interior but engine bay as well. I was working on the grounds that Karma would send someone with knowledge when it was my turn to breakdown
You did the right thing to stop and at least try to help. If nothing else you got the breakdown number for them.
probably a loose battery cable, dislodged when he was cleaning up the engine bay I know all about terminals having connected mine the wrong way round the other week...laughed? I nearly did
can only realistically be an opinion mate but yeah, good for stopping cos you never know ? thou if it aint fuel /spark,a prob that can be identified reasonably quickly then big yellow van should be called, side of road repairs can be fraught with horrors, thou I am mates with a fella that changed a clutch at roadside(did not necessitate box removal) this fella was not a Jock, (tight) how I admire him !(not for his non Jockness but for his refusal to ever pay out dosh to anyone for anything ,he was/is a one man survival unit!)
