I hate electrics!

Spectre_USA · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Up da hill.

So, I finally figured out what was wrong with my turn signals and radio.

My son-in-law had the battery in backwards due to someone replacing the cables
at some point since `71 with incorrectly color coded ones, red for ground, black
to the starter.

So, been tooling along just fine `til tonight, when it was drizzling a bit. Twist on the
wipers hear and again as needed until one time when they freeze up, slightly out of
sync it looks like, and the speedo turn signal light and gen light are flashing away.

The externals aren't flipping out, but the speedo lights and the flash unit sure are.
I pulled over, shut `er down, and yanked the flash unit. No more turn signals,
wipers, and the (G) light is on solid.

I reckon something in the wiper motor is grounding out, but I don't know.

My welcome back to the world of Vee-Dub has been less that warm thus far...

RichM · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 123 Location: Hayden, Idaho

Hello,

I am sorry to hear that you had these troubles. It sounds like you are figuring it out though. It would appear that you are going to be an electrical expert, so come over and fix my woes!

Spectre_USA · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Up da hill.

Well, I did find a few, very cool, schematics over at The Samba.

One of the folks here linked the place, and it is a treasure trove!

My only difficulty is da cash, at the moment. I can't just start shot-gunning parts.

If I, somehow, finger this stuff out, maybe I can make a run to Hayden.

What kind of funkiness are you experiencing?

These things remind me of old Brit cars I've looked into, electrics by Lucas, Prince
of Darkness...

Confused

jengel451 · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

CustomVW · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

Sounds simple enough. Beetle wiring is always pretty straight forward.
Can't tell you what it is, but I can assure you that wiring on them is never complicated, it's always SIMPLE.

Keep It Simple Stupid[/list]

RichM · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 123 Location: Hayden, Idaho

Oh where to start LOL. I have pulled my 56 (6 volt) of the pan to begin the restore and placed it on a "63 pan (12 volt) so I am trying to track down the proper attatchements for wires. Seems to be pretty straight forward so far.

Rich

Spectre_USA · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Up da hill.

Well, If I was doing a total teardown & rewiring, it might be simple, but there have
been other inept hands in this SB over the years.

I pulled all 5 (!) connectors off of the wiper motor, and popped the flash unit back in.
No change at all. And I also see that the fuel indicator is barely alive. Movement
on the tangled mass of wires caused intermittent loss of the flash unit ticking.

So there are loose wires as well. This is gonna be loads of fun...

Confused

CustomVW · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

I swear that beetale wiring is the easiest on the planet.

Buy a power probe....worth every dime.

Spectre_USA · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Up da hill.

I have a volt meter, it is just the 3rd party wiring and all the items involved, turn signals,
gas gauge, and gen light that have me head skritchin'.

As to stopping by, I did on Friday, but as it is a garage, not a shop, I just looked at a
few of the VW's, and shuffled off. Cool dark blue one outside of the foor with a sunroof.

And it has bee 20 years since I stuck my nose into a Beetle, so I have some catching up
to do.

CustomVW · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

Man.....I'm trying not to get upset....but,

"it's a garage and not a shop", that's kinda insulting.

I may not have a nice building, but if your the guy in the orange beetle, you didn't even stay long enough to talk to us.

I'm in that building becuase my overhead in that building is incredible.

Did you go in and see the machine shop? Did you go out back and see the parts shelves? Did you see the three hoist, and floor pans getting done?

Ok, maybe I'm just upset now...I'll stop.

Spectre_USA · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Up da hill.

Sorry, man, I did not mean at all to upset you, it was not a slam in any way.

At least, it was not meant to be.

I am just under the impression that folks are not allowed to just wander into active
garages, insurance liability and the like. I was anticipating a storefront, and was a
bit taken aback by it being absolutely packed with a huge number of Vee-dubs!

It was me in the orange bug, was that you who came walking out?

At that moment, I felt a little odd. "Are you CustomVW?" That just didn't sound
right. Odder still, "I'm Spectre_USA."

Anyway, it looked like Bug-topia to me, was a bit overwhelmed.

Maybe I can make back out this Friday, as now I need at least one part. One of my 2
stinger pipes loosened up and popped out on the way home from work at midnight
last week.

Hopefully you have one.

dssbk · Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 110 Location: Spokane Valley

Garage, Shop, Shack it dosen"t matter what you call it, Custom VW is one of those "hidden jewels" that you don't realise what you're missing untill you take a few steps inside, and then only a true VW buff can really appreciate the value of what is hidden in back of those "Garage Doors".
Man was I ever taken back the first time I stepped inside of those doors, Chris for being as busy as he is, he's pretty cool as far as stopping what he's doing and pointing you in the direction to where the parts that you are looking for you may be, and when its all said and done you leave there feeling like you didn't get jacked. If you just stop by for info he goes out of his was to help you out, and when you leave you feel like you know exactly what he's talking about, no confusion at all.
If this place was like one of those fancy shops with all the bells and whistles, there's no way we could walk around back and find those valuable parts or just stop by to shoot the shit with the mechanics with out paying "Top Dollar".
Custom VW is like an endangered species, once it's gone.... it's gone!!!
I recomend that every one take advantage of this "hidden jewel" as VW parts are getting harder to find day by day and he might have what you need in back of those so called "Garage Doors".

CustomVW · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject:

God, I almost got teary....thanks Dale.

Yes, I'm usually swamped with beetles the first of spring, though the end of june, as people get paychecks and want to drive their bugs, and bus's.

But like dale said, if I can afford to talk to you, I'll stop and show what I know, fi I can't I'll tell ya to come back in awhile. Most of the time it's a walk and talk situation, but at least we are still communicating.

As for the liability, most VW owners are used to the type of shop we run, just becuase everyone knows what it takes to get alot of cars out. It's an enter at your own risk, but we keep it pretty free to walk, just not handicapped accessable.