My Automatic '72 VW Squareback

29Mar2005 - odometer: 5333
Replaced voltage regulator with one donated from Brian Fye. Old unit was clicking (failing). Drilled small hole in pan on driver side to drain the 1/2" puddle that developed in the rear passenger area. Damn front window seal is leaking like crazy. Water seeping in from rust holes in body as well...grrrr!

03April2005 - odometer: 5402
Replaced the original German turn signal level assembly in the steering column. Went fairly easily. The replacement is a Brasilian unit and has a Type I part number. The gap between the steering wheel and the turn signal ring is a little bit bigger -- which I'm not too happy about since more dust/debris can get in there -- so I had to pull the horn contact on the ring out so it would touch the circular landing on the steering wheel. Everything works great so now I can signal my left hand turns! Discovered why my kick-down operation was no longer working...the metal lever is missing

So I gotta replace the switch, again. I'm gonna see if I can find something better at Radio Shack or Norvac Electronics.

10Apr2005 - odometer: 5470
Replaced the oil in the air cleaner. Couldn't find a micro-switch with the same mounting holes so I'm gonna have to make my own mount for the one I bought. Did check the VW dealership -- Lee had a good laugh! He's a great parts guy.

17Apr2005 - odometer: 5553
Finally got around to fixing the FI wiring harness for wire #18. It was fried, along with the external cold start power feed, due to the PO's mechanic not knowing squat about the D-jet fuel injection system and wiring it wrong. I had to dig a little into the harness, before it exits the engine bay and enters the fender, to find the 'missing' wire using the continuity function on my VOM. Soldered a wire to the #18 wire in the FI harness and ran it to a wire tap to the power feed wire from terminal #50 of the starter that supplies the external cold start circuit. Now the FI ECU finally gets power from the starter during start-up, just as the good engineers designed it to function

30April2005 - odometer: 5717
Valve adjustment. Only #2 & #4 intake valves very slightly tight...everything else was fine. The #18 wire fix (previous entry) has really made a difference! Car starts much easier, warm or cool out. Glad I fixed it.

19May2005 - odometer: 6393
Installed a new kick-down micro-switch; a custom installation since the stock units aren't made any more.

24May2005 - odometer: 6440
Adjusted fuel pressure to 31psi (ą 1.2psi). Original reading was 28psi (same error). So I opted for better fuel pressure with the error in mind. Replaced vacuum hose from the tranny to the T-fitting that connects to the intake runner plenum.

27June2005 - odometer: 7277
Four wheel alignment done.

28June2005 - odometer: 7340
Automatic tranny adjusted -- wow, what a difference! Shifts more smoothly up and down. Still grabby into 2nd if accelerating slowly, tech said it was likely an accumulator but it won't damage anything and driving is still a pleasure. Glad I did this, noticable difference, feels more closely to how an automatic should feel.

02July2005 - odometer: 7390
Bled entire brake system with fresh DOT 3 fluid. Nice, firm pedal now. Lubed door hinges and handles (driver side works easily now).

11July2005 - odometer: 7394
Installed cigarette lighter in hole left over from gas heater switch. Always on and has a 16A in-line fuse for additional protection.

12July2005 - odometer: 7394
Replaced outer left tie rod joint. No more shimmy when braking hard.

13July2005 - odometer: 7406
Replaced outer right tie rod joint.

15July2005 - odometer: 7529
Four wheel alignment.

12Aug2005
Sold to Erin Dame of Indiana who drove it home with her boyfriend Will to Purdue University. Gonna miss that great little car

Unemployment forced me to sell her so I could make a couple house payments. I'm glad she's going to Erin, as Erin was very enthusiastic about ownership and even bought the Owner's Manual and Bentley shop manual -- how ultra cool is that!?!