Headlights

TorxKiwi Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Jun 2011 · 24 Jan 2013, 9:10 pm

#940584

'75 L Bug

Headlights would not switch to high beam, no 'clicking' noise when attempting to switch. Checked fuses, all okay. Fitted a new relay, lights would then flick between low and high beam without issue, but, lights could not be switched off. If I turned off the light switch they stayed on low beam. Fitted the old relay, back to the same issue, no high beam.

What next? Try another relay? I hate electricals.

"Ownership of a Beetle is not a destination it is a journey."

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 25 Jan 2013, 12:01 am

#940604

Take a look at this diagram

73>Beetle wiring

E1 is the main light switch and J is the dipped relay.

Now the relay gets it's power from the light switch so with the switch off you should get nothing. Hence first issue is remove the relay and between it's power wire (black/white) and an earth connect a bulb or multimeter. Bulb shouldn't light or multimeter shows 0V. If the bulb lights or meter shows voltage then the switch is buggered.

If thats not the case then I'm not sure how power is staying on.

Do the lights work at all with the old relay, either dipped or main?

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 25 Jan 2013, 6:08 am

#940608

That's a US spec wiring diagram, Aus and Euro bugs use a different 5 wire relay with a permanantly live so the high beam flash works.

I would check with a meter make sure the dipper switch is working ok,
It should just have a good ground when you pull the stalk and be comletely open circuit when not pulled.
Sounds like it may be sending a ground all the time which is holding the relay in.

THe points on the dipper switch with age can get a build up on them which can stick the contacts together.

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 25 Jan 2013, 8:34 am

#940630

Are you sure that you used the correct relay?

I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

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

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 25 Jan 2013, 10:58 am

#940645

Joel is usually correct..

US-north america spec beetles used different wiring diagrams plus a totally different system with different switches and relays..

LEE

Joel wrote:That's a US spec wiring diagram, Aus and Euro bugs use a different 5 wire relay with a permanantly live so the high beam flash works.

I would check with a meter make sure the dipper switch is working ok,
It should just have a good ground when you pull the stalk and be comletely open circuit when not pulled.
Sounds like it may be sending a ground all the time which is holding the relay in.

THe points on the dipper switch with age can get a build up on them which can stick the contacts together.

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

TorxKiwi Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Jun 2011 · 25 Jan 2013, 1:43 pm

#940655

I recently replaced the switch mechanism but it was one of the cheap arse ones so wouldn't be surprised if that's my problem. Where do I source a decent replacement? I'm pretty sure that the replacement relay is correct, it does all the right things ...... except turn off.

"Ownership of a Beetle is not a destination it is a journey."

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 26 Jan 2013, 1:31 am

#940754

DOH!!!!! Sorry linked the wrong diagram. This is the right one

73> Euro bugs wiring

The relay still works similarly tho. it's a latching relay but basically means that one of the contacts is always shut so if it's staying on dipped after the lights are switched off then there must still be power coming from the light switch.

The main beam switch would mainly cause issues with the main beam staying on.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍