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1971 (S Bug) Fuse Confusion

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Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022387
Right.

So my brake lights decide not to turn on. So I go check the fuse box (which I haven't checked since I bought the car about a month ago), and one 16 amp fuse is not in the correct place.

Following the '71 Owner's manual, for me the 16 amp fuses were located at 3 and 11, when they should be at 9 and 11.



With the fuses in incorrect order, I start trying to determine which fuses are correct. I start with #1, which controls the fuel gauge, warning lights and turn signals. I remove the #1 fuse, turn the key, and they all work. I try from the opposite side, looking at #12, and they all work except for the turn signals.

So I decided to ask here first, in case anyone else with a '71 S bug had had the same problem. Otherwise I will set some time aside to take each fuse out and check what is / isn't working.

Thanks,
Gaston.

Note: My horn is also not working, and a spare part for it is on its way. I tried replacing the #3 fuse with #12 (which works), and the brake lights still didn't go on.
I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.

Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022388
Oh, and if you'd like a '71 wiring diagram, here is one:

I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.

karmann141 Wolfsburg Wizard

485 posts · joined Aug 2009 ·

#1022392
in my experience, one of the main causes of electrical components not working in old cars is a poor Earth. Follow the Earth - make sure it's good.
1961 K Ghia - Porsche 5 sp, EJ20T, Brembo's, Dble A arm susp
1974 L Bug - Porsche 944 brakes, Boxster 16's
1974 Bay Camper - EJ20, twin radiators, Boxster 16x7's
Half Beetle trailer with Boxster 16x7's
2011 Tiguan TDI 4Motion
2010 LR Discovery 4 TDV

adlbeetle66 Under the car.........again!

1,476 posts · joined Aug 2014 ·

#1022393
Also, i had a similar problem in a 67 bug i had, try checking the wires are connected on the Master Cylinder and that they also have good connections.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1022395
I would be checking the switch on cylinder first

Can you use a multimeter - test light?
Futue te ipsum!!!

Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022397
Thanks for replying!

I'll take a look at the master cylinder brake light switches tomorrow, and see how that goes. I'll also take a look at what the fuses control tomorrow, and see where that leads me.

As for a multimeter / test light, I can more than easily get one. I take it this might be for checking the fuses / voltage for the fuse "connectors", or simply to check up on any other electrical component. I hadn't really bought anything (tools wise) since I'd purchased the car, since I haven't really driven it much since then and didn't expect for any problems to arise so soon, but am more than happy to get my collection started.
I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1022398
A good multi meter is always handy - a test light (bulb, holder and 2 wires) is good for checking for volts, but cant check continuity (wires, fuses, earth)

You will need one or the other to check the brake switch
Futue te ipsum!!!

Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022430
Ok.

So today I replaced all the fuses and went through all the electrical components that I could, systematically taking out a fuse and seeing what didn't work. If you want to see the "results", I will type it up, otherwise everything is basically reversed (when compared to the owner's manual). The licence plate light, which should be connected to #12 (the 12th fuse), is actually bound to #1, whereas the indicators are affected by number #12, instead of #1.

The brake lights are now working (connected to #10), but I was just wondering if anyone knew why this fuse-box pattern is reversed?
I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 ·

#1022434
Gaston wrote:I was just wondering if anyone knew why this fuse-box pattern is reversed?
You're reading the book upside down?
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂

adlbeetle66 Under the car.........again!

1,476 posts · joined Aug 2014 ·

#1022435
Or is a LHD?

Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022438
It's a RHD, and is made in Australia as far as I know. The owner's manual isn't though, I think it's American (It's the same as the picture above).

So is this where this "inversion" lies, whereby I am trying to match American (if it is) specs to an Australian car - Although I can't see why this would be the case...
I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.

vduboy Insano Dub Head

702 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#1022511
Or someone has fit the fuse box upside down...!
It will all be OK in the end, if it's not OK it's not the end!

Gaston Casual Dubber

26 posts · joined Sep 2015 ·

#1022593
No, I don't think so. It looks the same as the picture (the cover fits that way atleast). Although looking at the pictures on the cover, it would seem that the wiper and turn signals would be controlled by #12 or the fuses closer to the RHS, since the LHS pictures look like they control the lights, which they do.
I hand out apologies like beating-red apples... Since trees can only bear fruit if it's root is planted in the soil of sincerity.