UBC Project Beetle Needs Help

[RickyG]

Greetings,

We are a group engineering students at UBC and we have a 72 beetle that we converted into electric.

A while back, on one of the test run of the vehicle, a wire felt off the switch and the car stopped on the road. We were stopped by the police and received a Notice and Order #1.

We fixed up all the little things like lights and flashers and wipers and took the car to canadian tire for an inspection, but they said we will not pass the inspection because our lights are not stock, it's lowered, and we have no bumpers(car never came with them, see photo). We don't really have the resource and time to revert the car back to stock.

Please help as we are unsure how to get this notice and order cleared up. Here are some photos of the car.

[egspot]

Is the car a research project or in any way linked to the Engineering Dept. at UBC?

They may be able to go where most people can easily go because of the university's relationship with the Province.

It is basically a modified vehicle and vehicle the  branch may be able to lead you in the right direction.

As for the inspection, you will have to pass it as would anyone in orderr to operate a motor vehicle on BC roads.

You can probably find a used bumper and intall it.

Find another inspection site that may help you get it done.

[steveo_32]

Overall looks fine to me, You can not run nerf bars on the car. So the bumpers have to be changed. I will lend you the bumpers you need to get thru.
Your lowering job looks fine but you will need to have recoil in the suspension, ie: The suspension on the vehicale has to bounce.

You need some form of defrost, (eletric heater fan passes), Window's must roll up and down, No more than a three inch rip in the drivers seat is allowed, you must have back up lights, brake lights turn signals ect. I dont see backup lights on your car?


You might want to look for a more........Friendly inspection facility, Some times Mechanics at Canadian tire are ahhhhh..........Challenged?

Give me a call if you want the bumpers.

778 899 5045
Steve.

[HeliMike]

Cool project!
Yeah as far as inspection place go listen to Steve-o, Cambodian Tire is probably the last place I'd take it to. They did my Dodge truck a few years ago and failed it for absolutely ridiculous reasons leaving me to "fix it" in the parking lot. I had rewired my headlights through external relays and it cancelled out the DRL's. That was only one of the many stupid little things.
The wiring should be pretty basic on that car assuming it doesn't have the "black box" under the hood. The reverse light sender's on the front of the tranny. The wiring's probably there for it under the decklid. It'll hook up to the negative side of the coil... or "ignition on" in your case!

Once ya get 'er inspected, narrow that front axle in 4" and slam that baby on the ground! 

Keep us updated on your progress!

[Bubba]

Jeez...last time I saw a bug with an 'E' on the door, it was hanging from a bridge!

[pittwagen]

The "E" may explain why the police laid on the lumber.

Engineers, you need to become familiar with the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations as it applies to your inspection order.  Pay particular attention to the sections that indicate "must" as opposed to "may".   Here is the link:

http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/freeside/--%20M%20--/Motor%20Vehicle%20Act%20%20RSBC%201996%20%20c.%20318/05_Regulations/28_26_58%20Motor%20Vehicle%20Act%20Regulations/26_58_00.htm

You also need to find an approved inspection facility in your area.  Here is the link - scroll down to the pdf file:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/CVSE/vehicle_inspections.htm

Once you select an inspector, see if he/she will come to your shop and look at the vehicle before you go to the inspection facility in order to avoid repeated trips.  You may have to pay for their time to come to your shop (in addition to the inspection facility time) but it is well worth it in the end.

Just curious as to who owns the vehicle - private person or the university?  Was there a supervising faculty member on the project?

With respect to the front turn signals/park lights (if that's what those lights are below the headlights), check the regs. for the minimum height from the ground!!

My thoughts.

[ray]

WTF what type of cop gives UBC guys like this an inspection ?

[steveo_32]

The one that knows this might hang from a bridge.............

[RickyG]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

The project is ran by a student initiated organization called the electric car club. We have professors as advisers but it's mainly a student project. We have backup lights and all the lights working but no defrost. The previous owner didn't even have a heater. The reverse light we just fixed because the reverse tail light switch was shot. It was so awkward to remove and install, plus a surprise spill of tranny fluid that drained all over my hair. It was such a messy job.

I notice there are some "ducting" that direct airflow to the windshield. are those connected to the heater channels? What is the best way of installing a electric heater?

Looks like we will probably need to borrow your bumpers steveo. When is a good time to call?

[Alisdair]

      head over  to 'members vws' and tell us more about this 'E' car and what/who  was involved in the build.  

good luck with the safety insp. im sure youll find all the help and advice here on the asf

[steveo_32]

Im around all day sunday(minus hockey), which is today and monday(minus hockey) as well, NOT NEAR ANY HOCKEY GAME SHALL YOU CALL!!!!!!!!!!! OR I WILL NOT ANSWER!!!!!!! GO CANUCKS!!!!