Turn Signals, Sometimes will not blink.

What does your meter read when all the lights are on and turn signals? That could tell if you have excessive voltage drop between battery and dash.

Auto-Zone may test your charging system gratis. Worth asking.

Plan B: Connect the car to a trickle charger for the winter.

Speedy Jim

I once had a friend that I asked to help me with my turn signals...He went behind the car to watch as I engaged the turn signal lever. When I asked him if they were working, his response was, "They're working...they're not working...they're working, they're not working..."

Can't help with your issue, but thought you might appreciate the humor.

GaryT

With headlights on, foot on brake/stop lights on, and turn signals on my VDO Cockpit style voltmeter reads between 9 volts and 10 volts. With the addtion of having the wipers on it reads about 9 volts. A VW mechanic told me that it only needs 9 volts to keep it running. But since then I got a CDI ignition. I wonder if that changes anything?

Voltage drop between the battery and the dash? Do you think that wire has corrosion in it? Would the voltage drop be less if I replace the wire that goes from the battery to the dash? That is a big white/red wire is it not? If so, what gauge wire should I use to replace it?

Yes, the big Red/Wh wire. But it should be plenty big as it is. And the wire itself doesn't "go bad", so I wouldn't run a new one. The terminal ends may get corroded or the push-on connectors get loose.

On a '73 with Generator, that wire gets power from the terminal on the regulator. Have a look at those connections too. If you have another voltmeter, you can use it to measure the voltage at various places and see where the loss is occurring. Don't overlook the battery ground connections and the tranny ground strap, although bad connections there should cause starter problems too.

Speedy Jim

Check and clean all your fuse contacts. I had almost the same problem, traced it to a dirty fuse contact. Also, just becuase you are reading 14 volts at the voltmeter does not necesarrily mean your battery is charging. Amps charge a battery, volts get it there. So it is a good indication, but not perfect.

~Anthony

The turn signal problem where the turn signal indicator light on the speedo flashed really fast when the right turn signal was on or would not flash at at with the brake pedal on, has been remedied by cleaning the ground connection for the left tail light assembly.

This '73 Beetle has an aftermarket Bosch alternator kit add on.

Yes, I will check the connections where the 3 red/white wires are spliced together and at the fuse box.

I can remember, a year or two ago, checking the voltage at the fuse box and at the battery. There was a higher voltage reading at the battery than at the fuse box. Thanks Again!