Installing a Golf Washer/Wiper assy into a 68 Beetle

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 23 Oct 2011, 11:17 am

#868256

Hi all,
I am attempting to upgrade the steering column head unit (ignition switch, washer, wiper, turn signal, hi/low beam) from a 77 Golf into a 68 Beetle. I have solved all the mechanical, and wiring issues. But I need some help with the wiring of the wiper switch to the motor. I want to mate the switch up, but I can't get my head around what I need to put in between. I also should be able to get intermittant wipers working, but the wiring has got me stumped. I found many articles on the connections, but the switch from the Golf has too many connections! I have on the wiring harness 8 wires. They are:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
Unmarked - Grounded to the body
J -
T -
I - Rear Wiper (not used, pin not connected anywhere)

On the wiper motor I have the following:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
31b - Ground via relay/switch

From what I've read I should be using a couple of relays. One for the wiper/intermittant, and the second for the washer?

Also I'm unsure about the wiper switch it seems to have four positions, but I'm not sure if Intermittant and Off are reversed

Intermittant
OFF
Low
High

Thank-you in advance for your assistance,
Gus Louch

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 23 Oct 2011, 11:22 am

#868259

The park and intermittent is not going to work with your existing wiper motor, you'll need a wiper motor from a 72 onwards flat screen beetle.

The park system which is also part of the intermittent control is completely different.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Oct 2011, 11:39 am

#868261

Louch wrote:Hi all,
I am attempting to upgrade the steering column head unit (ignition switch, washer, wiper, turn signal, hi/low beam) from a 77 Golf into a 68 Beetle. I have solved all the mechanical, and wiring issues. But I need some help with the wiring of the wiper switch to the motor. I want to mate the switch up, but I can't get my head around what I need to put in between. I also should be able to get intermittant wipers working, but the wiring has got me stumped. I found many articles on the connections, but the switch from the Golf has too many connections! I have on the wiring harness 8 wires. They are:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
Unmarked - Grounded to the body
J -
T -
I - Rear Wiper (not used, pin not connected anywhere)

On the wiper motor I have the following:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
31b - Ground via relay/switch

From what I've read I should be using a couple of relays. One for the wiper/intermittant, and the second for the washer?

Also I'm unsure about the wiper switch it seems to have four positions, but I'm not sure if Intermittant and Off are reversed

Intermittant
OFF
Low
High

Thank-you in advance for your assistance,
Gus Louch

Hi Gus
You would need to fit an intermittant wiper relay box..
or maybe a press button for a short wipe..??
using a relay...

any pics??

I have another 68 steering column with locking switch etc I may get around to fitting one day..

and a press button wipe would be great as its a pain to have to turn the switch on & off... lol
as it doesn't rain here enough to have the wipers on... lol

cheers

LEE

PS: You need to know how the self parking wipers work...
ingenious.. Lee

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

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Oct 2011, 11:41 am

#868262

Hi again

are You using the beetle steering shaft and steering wheel??

I use a late type 3 collapsible steering wheel

LEE

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

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 23 Oct 2011, 4:27 pm

#868291

Joel wrote:The park and intermittent is not going to work with your existing wiper motor, you'll need a wiper motor from a 72 onwards flat screen beetle.

The park system which is also part of the intermittent control is completely different.

Thanks for that Joel. I played around with the wires today, and I can make the wipers go in low and high speed and also park.
If I addd a relay to the wiper motor I think that I should be able to get a sweep out of activating the washer by connecting to 53a. Will test some more and post results.

Cheers, Gus

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 23 Oct 2011, 4:34 pm

#868294

68AutoBug wrote:
Louch wrote:Hi all,
I am attempting to upgrade the steering column head unit (ignition switch, washer, wiper, turn signal, hi/low beam) from a 77 Golf into a 68 Beetle. I have solved all the mechanical, and wiring issues. But I need some help with the wiring of the wiper switch to the motor. I want to mate the switch up, but I can't get my head around what I need to put in between. I also should be able to get intermittant wipers working, but the wiring has got me stumped. I found many articles on the connections, but the switch from the Golf has too many connections! I have on the wiring harness 8 wires. They are:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
Unmarked - Grounded to the body
J -
T -
I - Rear Wiper (not used, pin not connected anywhere)

On the wiper motor I have the following:
53 - Low Speed
53a - Park
53b - High Speed
31 - Ground
31b - Ground via relay/switch

From what I've read I should be using a couple of relays. One for the wiper/intermittant, and the second for the washer?

Also I'm unsure about the wiper switch it seems to have four positions, but I'm not sure if Intermittant and Off are reversed

Intermittant
OFF
Low
High

Thank-you in advance for your assistance,
Gus Louch
Hi Gus
You would need to fit an intermittant wiper relay box..
or maybe a press button for a short wipe..??
using a relay...

any pics??

I have another 68 steering column with locking switch etc I may get around to fitting one day..

and a press button wipe would be great as its a pain to have to turn the switch on & off... lol
as it doesn't rain here enough to have the wipers on... lol

cheers

LEE

PS: You need to know how the self parking wipers work...
ingenious.. Lee

Thanks Lee,
Please see my comments above about the wipe, still getting my head around the intermittant. Somehow i need to route power to 53a through a relay when in the intermittant position...

As for the setup, it's a little complicated...

Steering Shaft - Original
Sterring Wheel - Type 3 Collapsable
Steering head unit - 77 Golf
Replacement Key assembly - $35 with 2 keys!
Little sleeve - type3 steering shaft so shaft fits bearing
Outside Column - Original 68 Beetle modified to fit locking & support added at topof shaft as old one was in the head unit.

Will post any updates...

Cheers, Gus

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 1 Nov 2011, 5:50 pm

#869844

Well, trying to get the Golf switch working is a bust. Anyone have 71+ wiper motor laying around? Or could you suggest someone in Vic that would have one a a reasonable price?

Cheers, Gus

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 4 Nov 2011, 7:47 pm

#870356

Hi All,
Back to trying to get this all to work. The body for the 68 1500 beetle I have was totally shot. I picked up a 74 1300 that bolted right on, minimal rust.

Now to the problem. If you look at the picture you will see that the steering column does not align properly. It seems like the steering box is not mounted far enough to the left. Can the steering box be moved? I realise that i would need a front end alignment afterwards, but I'm willing to live with that.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Nov 2011, 11:50 pm

#870395

The steering box is held onto the torsion bar by a clamp with cutouts on either side for locating tabs...
so, it fits in the correct spot...

You could of course, grind those off, and weld a couple of lugs so it won't move..
but I think they are only locating lugs ...
so You know where to place the steering box..

I'm not sure My front end has those lugs??
I know My replacement front end has..

I can't see any reason why You can't move the steering box 25mm.. so long as the steering damper is long enough...
otherwise rewelding the bracket back on..

Best of luck with the modification... well done...

LEE

any pics of the steering wheel key switch etc...??

- 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 · 5 Nov 2011, 9:13 am

#870425

I hate to say it but are you sure your beam and/or frame head isn't bent?

I've seen a few like that over the years from front enders which is possible on a 43 year old car

I used to have a 74 1300 that had been tapped in the front right, under the fuel tank was almost a carbon copy of your pic with a slightly off skew beam.

Louch Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 5 Nov 2011, 2:27 pm

#870476

Joel wrote:I hate to say it but are you sure your beam and/or frame head isn't bent?

I've seen a few like that over the years from front enders which is possible on a 43 year old car

I used to have a 74 1300 that had been tapped in the front right, under the fuel tank was almost a carbon copy of your pic with a slightly off skew beam.

%$@&!!!! Just went out and measured everything, the drivers side is about 10mm closer to the rear than the passenger side. Only good news is that it is only the top beam, as there are some brackets that extend from the corner of the pan to the lower beam.

I gusee this has now turned into the question, can it be straightened?

Cheers, Gus

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Nov 2011, 7:13 pm

#870512

YIKES..

although 10mm isn't a lot...

I suppose it needs heating and hitting with a large hammer!!

also, usually the steering shaft is installed, and then it is bolted to the rubber piece above the steering box..

Lee

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

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 8 Nov 2011, 3:47 pm

#871030

Make sure that you have intermittent wipe relay from a '77 Golf. (Hard to get) The '78 on will not work.

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

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

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 8 Nov 2011, 4:02 pm

#871033

It's not hard to make the later ones work.

You can get a new replacement one for the early style easy as and cheap too.

Trick is not using VW ones.

Porsche 924/944/968 use exactly the same relay but with a Porsche part number. (477 955 531A)

They are $35 new from the US.