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**Berg** · August 29th 07, 07:50 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.aircooled

wrote:
> On Aug 29, 6:03?am, "John" > wrote:
>> When semiconductors fail (particularly in a stressed circuit like ignitions)
>> they do so catastrophically
>> and either go completely short circuit or open circuit. There is no half
>> way. Obviously the output
>> transistor is working as you noticed the lamp come on at 7.5. The circuitry
>> does take a little current
>> to work so its almost certainly as the Speedy suggests.
>> > wrote in message
>>
>> ups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Aug 28, 4:30?pm, Speedy Jim > wrote:
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> I am looking at a '70 beetle. It has a vacuum advance dizzy with
>>>>> electronic ignition which I am not familiar with instead of points and
>>>>> condensor. I can't tell the make. While checking the advance with
>>>>> the homemade Muir lamp I noticed it stayed lit dimly all the way
>>>>> around the clock until it got to about 7.5 and then lit up fully. Is
>>>>> this normal for electric ignitions?
>>>>> The engine takes takes about 6 seconds to catch although all the tune
>>>>> up settings are good. It idles fine but has an intermittent miss at
>>>>> speed.
>>>>> David
>>>> That's probably normal leakage thru the electronics.
>>>> The long cranking may have nothing to do with the spark;
>>>> more likely slight flooding.
>>>> If the miss occurs at odd times under load, inspect every
>>>> push-on terminal in the Coil circuit for looseness.
>>>> Then check the distributor advance plate for the tiny
>>>> braided pigtail lead. If broken, the pigtail won't
>>>> provide proper grounding as the advance plate rotates.
>>>> Speedy Jimhttp://www.nls.net/mp/volks/
>>> Thanks so much! I'll check those items tomorrow. The mosquitos were
>>> too fierce this evening.
>>> David- Hide quoted text -
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Thanks also. This group is great and the ongoing education of owning
> a beetle continues for me.
>

Buy a CDI unit, hook it up to the points replacement module and your
stock coil, and voila! Starts within one full rotation, that is my
experience anyway.

J.