Picked up the 96 model last winter.  Had the carbs rebuilt again, new plug, fresh fuel and replaced the defective starter solenoid along with a fresh battery.  Had the valves adjusted too for good measure, compression checked out ok so I'm stumped.

What happens is that its hit or miss when it comes to starting it.  Once it starts it seems to be ok...and then shuts back off.  Its intermittent but happens enough that I know I'd be a fool to drive it farther than just down the block as it will leave me stranded.  

Are there certain weak points or known issues that contribute to this problem?  Its frustrating because when it fires up it has that normal VW Beetle sound but I can't figure out why it keeps dying.  Even replaced the inline fuel filter I put in for good measure.

Any thoughts?  I'm losing my patience and dumping way too much money and wondering if I should just part this thing out.  I know once it gets running it will be a decent commuter that will save me gas and keep me out of trouble with the law (for the most part).

Thanks in advance....the more I search stickys the more I feel like I'm running into a dead end.  It used to do the ol "backfire" every so often, but since the new plug and having the carb rebuilt it seems ok.

A.

shiphteey wrote on 07/17/09 at 19:00:45:

These need more 'splainin'
1. You grind and grind till you give up? or it lights right up?
2. so it starts, you rip up the neighborhood, for minutes? hours?
3. then it cuts out?  or you shut it off?
4. doesn't always cut out?

1. try starting on prime, leave it there till you quit.  remember to shut it off.
2. replace the vac line or put hose clamps on both ends.
3. running on reserve seems to help with weak petcocks.

Your problem could be one or more of several things.

Let's eliminate a common source of problems first with a simple test.

Crimp the petcock vacuum line.  Crimp it tightly enough so that nothing can flow through it, not even air.

Put the petcock on PRI.  If the bike runs better, that means you probably have a defective petcock.  You may still have other problems, but the bike will not run right until you deal with the defective petcock.

Happy hunting!

Good point, keep it in neutral for starting & then, with the stand Up, if it dies when you put it in gear, the switch is no good. If the spring is crappy, then the switch can shut off the ignition, or if you accidently rest a foot on the stand..Thats how I used to make it backfire,

shiphteey wrote on 07/17/09 at 19:00:45:



I am going for checking the idle. You had the carb rebuilt last year. Was your air mixture and idle set properly. The first time I rejetted former stock carb the bike would not start without choke. Once choke was pushed in bike would die. Forgot to re-set my idle speed and iar mixture lol. Try idle and or petcock thing that bill mentioned. If he is correct you may be flooding your engine and may need an oil change as well.

Darn!,...And I was so going to go for the petcock thingy....

Well, Yeah!....... it's fixed!.... Enjoy!....

Agreed, which is difficult to do when its intermittent.  Just glad it runs.  Gonna putt putt around the neighborhood a little...