6 volt or 12 volt system?

[bug-n]

Hello to all,
This is my first post, got to start somewhere.
I am new to VWs and am learning a lot from this site. Thanks to all.
This may sound silly but I don't know if I have a 6 or 12 volt system. I bought a '65 Baja Bug last summer from a lady who's husband owned the car and had passed away. She knows nothing about it (like me). It didn't have a batt in it. All the lights are still 6 volt. It cranks and starts great with a 12v batt but when I bought and tried to use a 6v batt it wouldn't even crank. The lights and accessories would work so the batt had a charge on it. The generator light stays on. And now my batt (12v) is dead.
Something is wrong.

How do I tell if it's been converted to 12v or not?

Thanks!

[MNAirHead]

I know this will sound nutty..

Do you have a battery?

Where is the battery regulator located?

Have you checked the headlights?

3 clues .. unfortunately VWs have been flubbed by thousands.

[bug-n]

Yes, I am currently using a 12v batt.

The voltage regulator is on top of the generator (I believe).

The headlights are extremely bright. Must still be 6v.

[sideshow]

It is surprisingly simple assuming it was “done” completely.

Look at your regulator do you see a “7v” or a “14v” same with the generator, coil (faint numbers stamped into the base), wiper motor, starter motor (better solenoid).

[Marc]

From what you've told us so far, I'm almost certain that the car's electrical system is still 6V and there's something wrong with the starter (like a bad support bushing for it in the transmission case) which you managed to "solve" by supplying it with twice-normal voltage...but a 6V charging system is incapable of keeping a 12V battery up. The warning light merely compares the voltage coming to one side of the bulb filament from the battery via the ignition switch with what comes to the other side from the voltage regulator. An imbalance in either direction will make it glow.

[MNAirHead]

Sounds 6v to me also..

Your starter and wipers will go in cut-time (2x as fast for nonmusic types)

A regulator on top of the gererator sounds 6v..

I may be in Albertville some time in the next month if you want a visual inspection.

[bug-n]

MNAirhead,

I am Mark, the one that has been talking to you about the SB pan you have for my 78. (Got 2 going at once). I would appreciate it if you are in the area sometime if you could stop by. It would be good to meet you.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm going out this weekend to buy another 6v volt batt (returned the other thinking it wasn't needed) and give it a try again.

[MNAirHead]

Now that's the spirit.. mutlicars at once..

Really sounding like you have a 6v (pre 67) setup.

Tim

[Marc]

...A regulator on top of the gererator sounds 6v...

Agreed. I think the late 356 12V generator had a piggyback regulator too (can't remember for sure) but all the VWs I've ever seen with that layout were 6V. There's also a large-diameter 6V generator that uses the "12V" pulley & pedestal and has a remotely-mounted regulator, as found in some late `66 VWs (I have a Euro-spec `67 bug that came 6V, with a regulator under the back seat). A 12V electrical system was an "M"-code option prior to `67, too - but I've never seen a car so equipped so I have no idea what they used.

[MNAirHead]

Mark

under the generator stand.. theres a VIN number.. with 2 letter codes.. what are the letters... (vws interchange.. may help give us some idea of what year your enigne block is).

T..

[sideshow]

I think you guys are trying to over engineer this. 2 letter engine codes? I thought US spec 1965 bugs came out of the wrapper with a “D” as in one letter.

Lets just assume the previous owner did a functional job building this baja. In this case looking at the charging system or ignition would tell the new owner what voltage battery to buy.

Seriously, small markings at the non wiring end of the coil (6v or 12v). Clear stamped numbers on the charging system components (7v or 14v).

Lets not confuse this.