Ok so I seem to have some electrical gremlin(s) in my 120y. Seemed to start after I drove my car through a a fair bit of water. Shallow, but it was for quite a way with a lot of splashing around.

Straight afterwards I noticed that the right hand indicator no longer flashed but stays on. Didn't think much of it at the time. However next time I drove the car I could smell a burning insulation smell. Driving the car home and I think I saw a waft of smoke coming up by the steering column. Pulled over, waited, turned everything off I could (headlights, fan, radio) then nipped home (about 1km). Smell didn't seem to return. Haven't used the car since then.

Everything seems to work except the right indicator. I have the car running now idling for 20 mins (no lights, fan indicators radio etc on) and can't detect anything like a burning smell.

So how to troubleshoot this? I am moderately handy with a multimeter, but have dealt with few electrical issues on the car. Going to start by removing the clamshell / steering column plastic and look for toasty bits. Also check continuity on suspect circuits. I am suspecting something to do with the indicator or lights.

So how far along are you with this Ute? I know you’ve been buying lots of new parts for over the years.

Would love to see some pics.

Cool,my ute is a 79 model to and are buying parts for my resto mod.Now that i know i'll get some new retractable seat belts.

They certainly did. Not sure what year they started, but I have retractable seat belts in my 1979 and 1985 utes.

700lbs is massive advantage to him and sorry forgot about the 2 speed!!
Looking forward to your battle!!!

Hey Guys,

did the 1200 ute ever come with retractable seat belts and if so what year were they inplicated.

Cheers.

Car and driver the bug weighs 1650. My car 2350.
But my powerglide transmission and Ford 8.8 rear-end make up most of the weight of my car.
I've tuned my car to 11.50.
My nitrous control launches me at 40% off the line to 100% at the 60 foot. I could probably bump it to 60-70%.
I'll be heads up with him in Wooburn this October.
Let's see what happens. 😃

That Bug has been around for so long! how heavy is it compared to your setup?
Seems to really get a good start on ya, but you catch him well at the end.
Would an inch less on your rear tyre help get that 0.15-0.20 seconds??
just seems like 3-4 car lengths you are chasing from that start and many
of your times are around 1.6X etc. Awesome video and amazing cars

Raced at Import Face Off this past Sunday.
Car ran great as always.
Although I didn't take home the trophy, I had a awesome time. 🙂
My buddy Joe runs a VW Bug 2300cc all motor (no nitrous).
It's a crazy car that runs in the 10's but can't compete with the big boy imports so he runs in the 11.50 class with me.
Got my car to run an 11.62 but Joe is a veteran at sand bagging so it's hard to beat that.
He took home the trophy running a 11.52. He's a good friend and we help each other at the track.
Here's a video of us heads up. 🙂


1200 vs. VW Bug video

Hey lads. Getting back into playing with my Datto's.

Coupe - Just Tweeked the timing a little and balanced the carbs. O2 was showing in running a little lean at the top end so upped the main jets and wow it loves to rev to 7500 now.

Ute - seem to have developed a serious ignition chop when it comes on boost so that will take a bit more investigation.

Clubman 7 - Its running sweet after I changed 'A LOT' - ( Haltec ECU, fuel pump, regulator,injectors ,added crank angle sensor - all new dyno map ) 148kw in a 550kg car is freekin awsome.

dp