Trike has no power - nothing works

[Shadowlord]

Thought I'd bounce this one off on you guys...

I was riding my trike in my neighborhood (about 10 to 15 minute). Next thing I know I heard a screech and the trike died. No power of any kind. Not even Lights. Since I was still Rolling down a hill (around 15 mph) I tried to bump start it by popping the clutch. Nothing.
I rolled it back home (luckily I was only about 6 houses down when this happened) and parked it until it cooled off. I have it wired where I can use the lights even without turning the key. Still no lights. Tried to start it again and still nothing. Got the volt meter out… 12 volts when checking it on the positive terminal and the frame. Turn on the ignition and check again and had zero volts. It sounds like it’s a grounding problem to me but then what was the screech before death? By that time I had to get ready for work. Have not tried anything else.
Any Ideas what I should check?

My brother said it sounded like my alternator froze up and grounded out.
I think I’ll disconnect my alt first and see if my light work and starter engages.

What do you guys think?

[vwmaniac]

Will the alt, turn over with the motor as you try to start it , if not disconnect the fan belt and see if it will, might check your fuses to see if all are okay, like you say, maybe a bad ground,
Good luck with your find.

[Bikerbozo]

Wondering about your starter selenoid. Maybe that shorted causing starter to engage (screaching sound). Battery could show 12v with no load, but have internal short also.

[Shadowlord]

I can't touch it until Monday evening... I'll check both the Alt. and the starter selenoid. Both seem viable.

I'll let you guys know what I find out.

[cpt logger]

Shadowlord, What If anything have you found out?? I for one am curious what you have found so far. Thanks, Matt W.

[Shadowlord]

Guys sorry for taking so long to respond.

Found out it was 2 things. My ground was bad at the transmition. Fixed that and now I have lights, and ignition. But the starter would not work... The solenoid would only click. I tried it outside the trike and it still would not engage. Took it to O'Rileys and they tested it as bad also. They had one in stock and I picked it up this afternoon for $40 (Lifetime warranty). I have not put it in yet. Got it after church then went to bed. (I work 3rd shift)
It came with a replacement actuator bushing. I don’t have a bushing extractor to get the old one out. Trying to debate if I should leave the old one in and just keep this one as a spare.

[cpt logger]

Shadowlord, Replace the bushing. It will last longer, and If you do not you will void that warranty!!

To remove the bushing you will have to either remove the engine (UGH) and drive it out with a correct sized drift, or you can tap (as in tap & die) the old bushing with the smallest threads that will grip well then using a bolt with lomg threads pull the old bushing out. You may have to drill the bushing out to the correct size for the tap before you tap it. The plus to the tap method is that if the worst happens (the tap breaks) you can fix it by removing the engine and driving the bushing out tap and all.

IHTH, Matt W.

[Shadowlord]

I was given the sugestion that if I can take that one back and replace it with a starter for a full automatic[VW-1971-1973 Type 3]... He said it will work with no bushing involved. I'll Call O'Rileys tomorrow to see if they even have that starter in stock. I'll not be able to work on it before Friday no matter which one I use.

[Shadowlord]

I ended up putting in the starter for an automatic this morninng. So far so good... It started it right up.

[vwmaniac]

Glad to hear that, now change out th ign. swith back to your old one and you will be set.

[cpt logger]

Shadowlord, Glad you are back up and riding!! Good job! Hey, I learned something from you, I had never heard of the different starter for the Type III automatics before. That is good to know. Thanks, Matt W.

[skeeter]

oh man , i should have got this . the ground at the front of the tranny is all inportant . don't go eazy on that. i had a 60 model bug in the 70s that would not start for crap. push it a foot & run like a top. i don't know what rear end you got , but 1966 back this is a big deal.