I have a 1973 vw super beetle 1.6 liter four cylinder air cooled engine. I cannot get the car to run right. I put in a new battery about 540cca and the car will not start. the alternator/oil pressure light stays on when the car is off and the key is out. but it will turn off when running. The oil is a little old and thick and over the full line but not by much. When I use jumper cables I can get the car to run, I also notice it can turn on without stepping on the clutch just by turning the key. After I jump it it runs fine but when I turn it off it won't start by itself again. Sometimes when I jump it and pull off the battery cables it will die on the spot. But sometimes it wont die until i turn it off and then it wont start. so it seems like it basically using all the power from the good car battery but its not charging back to its own. But then the alternator lights goes off and it runs for a long time fine.I have no ideas anymore because it will run fine after a jump so it cant be the alternator. could it be bad battery cables, something electrical drawing a current or a switch? or something staying on while its in park? please help me out asap.! I'm thinking electrical........
Jul 6, 2006 at 1:04 PM