The 1964 Beetle had a 6 Volt Positive Ground Electrical System so I am going to assume that it has not been changed. The wire from the distribitor should go to the (-) side of the coil. The wire from the switch should go to the (+) side of the coil. To check the wiring, connect a volt meter or test light from the switch wire (the one that should go to the (+) side of the coil) to ground with the switch on. You should read 6 volts. If not, there may be a break between the coil and the switch. To get the car running temporarily, connect distributor wire to the (-) side of the coil. Then connect a jumper from the (+) side of the coil to the (+) side of the battery. If the car starts then but will not when the switch is hooked up, then yo have a problem between the coil, the switch and the battery. Remember on a 6 volt system, GOOD CLEAN ground connections are VERY IMPORTANT. Check all of the grounding wires and make sure that they connections are clean and tight. Good luck!
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 AT 5:10 PM