headlight dimmer switch on stalk

21 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 17 Apr 2013, 10:20 pm

#951890

my 71 bug has the low/high beam swith on the indicator stalk.
it doesn't seem to work (stuck on low beam).

I have taken the steering wheel off to have a look at the indicator stalk and i can get the headlights to switch to hight beam if i press down on the 2 plastic tabs that are at the base of the stalk, but as soon as i take my finger off these plastic tabs the lights revert back to low beam

I can't seem to make sense of this. it does appear broken, but obviously something isn't right.

can anyone give me some clues.

is my stalk assembly fixable or do I need to new one? thanks

1971 Super bug

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 18 Apr 2013, 9:05 am

#951924

It is most likely the relay as the switch only triggers the flip flop relay to change beams. If you want a relay I have both new and used.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Apr 2013, 12:51 pm

#951942

dstevenson101 wrote:my 71 bug has the low/high beam swith on the indicator stalk.
it doesn't seem to work (stuck on low beam).

I have taken the steering wheel off to have a look at the indicator stalk and i can get the headlights to switch to hight beam if i press down on the 2 plastic tabs that are at the base of the stalk, but as soon as i take my finger off these plastic tabs the lights revert back to low beam

I can't seem to make sense of this. it does appear broken, but obviously something isn't right.

can anyone give me some clues.

is my stalk assembly fixable or do I need to new one? thanks

HI
VW was a step ahead of many car makers with their electric
switching of High - Low Beam...

its NOT a switch like on most Japanese cars from 1970 - 2012
push forwards or backwards... a basic ON-ON switch..

its just a momentary switch.. on the VW..
the contacts just close when You pull on the lever..
when You release the arm its doing nothing... lol

the switch just switches the HEADLAMP relay..

Grumble says He has a relay... and they are a special VW relay...

cheers

LEE

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

dstevenson101 Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 18 Apr 2013, 7:10 pm

#951972

68AutoBug wrote:
dstevenson101 wrote:my 71 bug has the low/high beam swith on the indicator stalk.
it doesn't seem to work (stuck on low beam).

I have taken the steering wheel off to have a look at the indicator stalk and i can get the headlights to switch to hight beam if i press down on the 2 plastic tabs that are at the base of the stalk, but as soon as i take my finger off these plastic tabs the lights revert back to low beam

I can't seem to make sense of this. it does appear broken, but obviously something isn't right.

can anyone give me some clues.

is my stalk assembly fixable or do I need to new one? thanks
HI
VW was a step ahead of many car makers with their electric
switching of High - Low Beam...

its NOT a switch like on most Japanese cars from 1970 - 2012
push forwards or backwards... a basic ON-ON switch..

its just a momentary switch.. on the VW..
the contacts just close when You pull on the lever..
when You release the arm its doing nothing... lol

the switch just switches the HEADLAMP relay..

Grumble says He has a relay... and they are a special VW relay...

cheers

LEE

Hi Grumble, I guess I better try the relay if you think that's what it is.

How much do you want for a new or used one?

Cheers
Dale

1971 Super bug

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 18 Apr 2013, 9:16 pm

#952014

dstevenson101 wrote:
68AutoBug wrote:
dstevenson101 wrote:my 71 bug has the low/high beam swith on the indicator stalk.
it doesn't seem to work (stuck on low beam).

I have taken the steering wheel off to have a look at the indicator stalk and i can get the headlights to switch to hight beam if i press down on the 2 plastic tabs that are at the base of the stalk, but as soon as i take my finger off these plastic tabs the lights revert back to low beam

I can't seem to make sense of this. it does appear broken, but obviously something isn't right.

can anyone give me some clues.

is my stalk assembly fixable or do I need to new one? thanks
HI
VW was a step ahead of many car makers with their electric
switching of High - Low Beam...

its NOT a switch like on most Japanese cars from 1970 - 2012
push forwards or backwards... a basic ON-ON switch..

its just a momentary switch.. on the VW..
the contacts just close when You pull on the lever..
when You release the arm its doing nothing... lol

the switch just switches the HEADLAMP relay..

Grumble says He has a relay... and they are a special VW relay...

cheers

LEE
Hi Grumble, I guess I better try the relay if you think that's what it is.

How much do you want for a new or used one?

Cheers
Dale

$25 for the new or $15 for used plus post.

dstevenson101 Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 19 Apr 2013, 9:45 pm

#952198

is this the same part that is advertised for $17.30 on JustKampers? if not, could you please detail the difference. '

http://www.justkampersaustralia.com/shop/headlamp-relay-12v-for-vw-beetle-vw-t2-bay-and-vw-t25-1971-on-j10161.html

Thanks

1971 Super bug

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 20 Apr 2013, 1:31 pm

#952255

If you want a "dutch auction" check prices at Classic,Micks's Motors,and a dozen other suppliers,I purchased these when I had my workshop and that is what they owe me. If you want cheap I can also find a stuffed one for you.I have no problem giving advice or assistance on this forum based on my trade experience but am not a charity.Good luck Les

dstevenson101 Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Feb 2013 · 20 Apr 2013, 7:45 pm

#952296

Les,

I did not intend to offend. I don't have a lot of knowledge with the electrics of beetles and was simply inquirying as to if there was any technical difference, I was not questioning quality, as I am well aware that when ordering from these websites, quality is traded off with price. There is so many intricate differences between beetle models, my question was purely technical based.

I understand that people need to make a dollar for their time.
I value peoples knowledge and I'm prepared to pay for the right advice, rather than rely on a generic description of a part on an internet site.
so please, no offecnce intended.

Regards
Dale

1971 Super bug

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 21 Apr 2013, 1:23 pm

#952358

Hi Dale apology accepted as I said I am prepared to assist where i can and know the parts that I have aren't always the cheapest but I tried to use good quality parts in my workshop as I too was burnt with cheap parts that didn't perform from some well known suppliers and consequently wouldn't buy from them again unless it was a last resort. The unit from Just Campers should do the job for you.
Cheers Les

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 24 May 2013, 7:44 am

#956873

This is a very useful thread. I believe my Super has the same issue. When switching to high beam the h/b warning lamp does not light up and the headlights go off.

Is it likely I have the same relay issue? Is it one of the relays in the fuse box?

Thanks,
Brett

Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder