New ignition switch for 74 bug

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Jan 2013, 7:59 pm

#939530

Hi guys

I'm tracking down a problem with my bug not kicking over reliably when I turn the key in the ignition switch. It may be the ignition switch. I have 3 questions:

1. Is there an easy way to bypass the ignition switch altogether and start the car?
2. If the switch is faulty, where can I buy a new switch?
3. Is it easy to swap out the faulty switch with the new switch?

Thanks for your help

Regards
Greg

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2013, 8:27 pm

#939534

g'day Greg

If you meal an L bug - have a read here
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=76646

A 74 Standard could be the same - not sure

Pretty sure you can buy a new switch from Vintage at Campsie

To test, it is just a matte of shorting the 3 main wires of the plug

12V, ignition and starter

Futue te ipsum!!!

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2013, 8:55 pm

#939536

Lateral wrote:Hi guys

I'm tracking down a problem with my bug not kicking over reliably when I turn the key in the ignition switch. It may be the ignition switch. I have 3 questions:

1. Is there an easy way to bypass the ignition switch altogether and start the car?
2. If the switch is faulty, where can I buy a new switch?
3. Is it easy to swap out the faulty switch with the new switch?

Thanks for your help

Regards
Greg

do You have a pic of Your key switch?
flat windscreen beetle or L beetle curved windscreen??
both were made in 1974..

LEE

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

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 17 Jan 2013, 9:00 pm

#939538

Both have the same wiring and steering column so it's same process.

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 17 Jan 2013, 11:25 pm

#939554

If you can't find one at vintage, they are available at cip1.com pretty cheap

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 8:28 am

#939579

Hi guys

Thanks for the quick replies!

The plug has 4 pins on it with the following wires:

Red
Red with Black Stripe
Black with Yellow Stripe
Black

Can I just try any three without causing any damage?

Please note that this steering column is from a 1974 (???) and is installed in a 1967 bug. I just recently purchased the car and am coming to terms with its "bits and pieces".

Just as a matter of interest, when the ignition does work, the starter motor seems to crank rather slowly and if the motor doesn't start after about 4 turns then the starter motor seems to slow to a stop....

Regards
Greg

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 18 Jan 2013, 8:37 am

#939580

if the wiring hasn;t been butchered too much Red is live power from the battery, black is power to the coil and ignition side of the fuse box and the red/black is start.

The black/yellow is headlight power, but you won't need that in a 67.

It's just so the headlights turn off with the car and when starting.

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 8:44 am

#939581

Thanks Joel,

I'll give it a try and let you know the results.

Thanks again for the quick reply.

Regards
Greg

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 9:03 am

#939584

Hi Joel

I just bypassed the switch 10 times and it started each time straight away!

Plugged it back to the ignition switch but no go....

Looks like the switch is the issue.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards
Greg

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 1:07 pm

#939616

Hi Joel

I just got a new ignition switch and barrel as I was going to replace both just to make sure.

I managed to get everything apart except I can't figure out how to remove the old key barrel as there are no screws or holes etc. When I fitted the new plastic ignition module the problem was still there. I then simply plugged the ignition module but itself and turned it using a screw driver and it works great!

This makes me think that the ignition barrell is the problem b ut I can figure out how to remove/replace it. I Googled it but no luck.

The part number for the 133 905 851 A and I have attached some photos.

2 attachments · Log in to view

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 18 Jan 2013, 1:40 pm

#939619

Hi Greg,

There is a hole hidden in that slot on the side.

There is a leaf spring inside that needs to be pushed in

A small screwdriver or rivet stem will usally do that.

I've had that same problem on one of my other bugs, the barrel just gets so worn after 4 decades that is doesnt turn far enough to engage start.

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 1:48 pm

#939620

Hi Joel,

I have been looking for the hole for the last 30 minutes but there is definitely no hole 😬

I have attached a photo

Regards
Greg

1 attachment · Log in to view

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 18 Jan 2013, 1:54 pm

#939622

Ah, must be very late 74.
No biggy, just have to drill one.

They stopped putting the hole in them when they realised how easy it was to just pop the barrel out and use a screw driver.

need to drill it in between that slot and 10mm in from the edge of the metal.

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 1:58 pm

#939624

Thanks mate

I'll give it a go!

Lateral Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Jan 2013, 2:22 pm

#939628

Joel your a genius!

All working fine and now all I need to do is put it all back together and go for a test drive😂

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Jan 2013, 2:43 pm

#939630

Lateral wrote:Hi guys

Thanks for the quick replies!

The plug has 4 pins on it with the following wires:

Red
Red with Black Stripe
Black with Yellow Stripe
Black

Can I just try any three without causing any damage?

Please note that this steering column is from a 1974 (???) and is installed in a 1967 bug. I just recently purchased the car and am coming to terms with its "bits and pieces".

Just as a matter of interest, when the ignition does work, the starter motor seems to crank rather slowly and if the motor doesn't start after about 4 turns then the starter motor seems to slow to a stop....

Regards
Greg

YIKES

someone has done some modifications...

nothing like the 67-68 model cars.. lol

Joel knows everything.. lol

Good One Joel

LEE

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