Type 3 lights problem, one for the auto electrician in you

slippy Casual Dubber

49 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 29 Jan 2009, 9:36 pm

#692396

Figure this one in my 71 fastback...

I turn on my hazard lights and the fuse for the interior light burns out. I then turn on my indicators and the fuse for the indicators burns out. Foot on brake pedal and my passenger side brake light comes on but my driver side does not. All globes appear intact and all other exterior lights working. I also notice the light for the fuel gauge and warning lamps binnacle isn't coming on (but the other instruments still light up). Where should I start looking?

Alternately, anyone know a good VW auto electrician in southern Adelaide?

71 fastback daily driver

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 29 Jan 2009, 11:01 pm

#692424

Under the dash!! Drop the fuse box and trace all the wires to the instruments and lights. Have you got a wiring diagram?

DH

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 29 Jan 2009, 11:25 pm

#692432

You seem to have a few problems there...

do You know what caused the problems??

have any lights been taken off??
as it sounds like maybe a wire or two shorted to earth..

I would start at the brake lamp that won't work...
could be shorting out there...

someone who has worked on type 3s would be the one to see...
their wiring may be very similar to a beetles...

also as Dallas suggests check the fuse box...

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Jan 2009, 5:42 am

#692441

sounds like some of the wires on the fuse box are touching

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

slippy Casual Dubber

49 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 30 Jan 2009, 7:21 am

#692452

Thanks guys, guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. Fortunately I do have a wiring diagram (one of my manuals has all the diagrams for '62 - '73 type 3's and '62 - '67KG's if anyone needs one), at least I'll know what I'm looking at that I don't understand 🤪I haven't changed anything recently that would explain this sudden electrical meltdown. Still hoping for a recommendation for an auto-electrician in southern Adelaide...

71 fastback daily driver

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Jan 2009, 8:49 am

#692464

go and see Debiasi Auto Repairs 08-8262-7533 in Cavan Adam or Peter

maybe they can point you in the right direction

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 30 Jan 2009, 8:47 pm

#692588

vw54 wrote:sounds like some of the wires on the fuse box are touching

My worst experience with a type 3 (1964 N ) was when the speedo light terminal made contact with the dash bracket behind it. The wire cooked itself across all the other wires. All this at 7.30 pm around June (1970 of course!!). Did a quick rewire from the battery to get one headlight and one tail lamp working to get home. Hawker deHavilland was less one toolmaker the next day while I re-wired a few damaged wires under the dash. 🥲

Always check that the dash light wires have an insulated terminals on them!!

DH