Had Col falling behind me last night and he noticed my L rear indicator not working and also brake lights:o

He had a look this morning before heading off to go canoeing with the scouts and says it's not globe but probably wiring.

I'm in Melbourne - best place to take Bel to have her 6 volt VW wiring checked. Can a normal auto electrician do it?? etc

Need someone open Sat's as working in city 5 days. Hmm, will have to juggle time.

Jen the red oval shaped lights are the worst things for poor earthing. If the brake lights and tail lights aren't working this is the first thing to check.
Any decent Auto Elect will be able to fix the wiring on a 58 beetle. There aren't that many wires to choose from. I think I have a 58 wiring diagram some where of you need it.
The other problem area is the fuses used in these early models. Corrosion on the fuse box terminals or fuse will cause trouble too. Polish off the corrosion , coat the contacs with vaseline and it may solve the problem.
The last easy area is with the old screw type connectors use in the early beetles. Again corrosion or dirt will get in and creat poor contact areas. Fis here is to cut wire back to clean area, clean up the screw fitting and reconnect.
If you get really stuck let me know.

Thanks Dean. I bought new globes and fuses for 6 volt. It isn't them. Have booked Bel into Bayswater before i go to work tomorrow.

Have manuals with wiring diagrams but I am completely lost with them, I will have to leave it to the expert. Sat there reading thim when having a break from the garden. Nothing seemed to relate to my prob.

I'd like to learn one day so I know where to look but I have to get to work etc. Double Well I'll ask questions when I pick her up

But I want to ask both of you a couple of questions.

I just bought my first early beetle, ('60 model with semaphores) And I was wondering what do you guys have in the way of extra turn signals?

Because in the last week I've nearly been hit three times by people who couldn't see me turning.

Harley lights in front, and unfortunately newer indicators with stop light on the rear.

When I get Bel painted I have the proper stop lights and semaphores to go on her. Harley lights or something similar on the bumper but will match up with the front.

Jenz.. I wish You lived in Scone as I could fix most of Your problems easily... especially electrical... as I am A Ham Radio Operator and know about wiring etc.... Yes as Someone said.... its the Earth Wire or lack of one... An Auto elec should fix it in 5-10 minutes... if NOT drive off....LOL.... it can be bad connections.. on the bulbs... I usually add solder to the side of the bulbs and renew the bottom soldered joints. The Main thing Jenz, is that when All VWs were made ALL copper items were shiney & brand new... NOw they are dirty and contaminated... the little copper strip that touches the bottom of the bulbs should be cleaned with a nail file.... I used to use points files... but they are getting very hard to find these days.... and I have just used a Nail file to clean some electrical parts. they work well... With both Bulbs being out it Certainly means an Earth Problem... ie... NO Earth.... I'm NOT sure if Your tail lamps have a seperate earth Lead or are just earthed thru the metal of the guard... which usually means trouble... after about 30 years or so...lol.. During the restoration of My 68AutoBug I am renewing all the screws-bolts and the small nuts that hold the tail lamps etc on.... as these do corrode in the weather.... If You have time Jenz... try to tighten the nut that holds the tail lamp assy onto the rear of the guard, that may fix it up...or run a small wire from under that screw to the body... Its easy when You know How Jenz..... But then I'd be useless trying to cook a cake or Scones etc....:birthday:birthday:birthday
I hope I have a Cake today Jenz....

Lee it isn't your birthday today is it!!!!:birthday:birthday:birthday

Thanks for the tips.

I tried new bulbs to see if they worked, no dif so put others back.

I've tried to look at wiring diagrams but they make no sense to me. Had a look under Bel etc at wires and thought 'Yes I'll leave this to the expert!'

Yep today... MONDAY.....
I have trouble with wiring diagrams and I can read them.... especially the later models,,, and then there is the 68AutoBeetle with all the extra wires going to the auto bits etc..... I am going to start on the wiring tomorrow, sorry today.... just one at a time.... I wired up My Son Scott's Girlfriends 69 Baja last year and I was told NOT to open the LH Door as the rubber was new and He wanted to compress it... OK... I rewired and patched up what wiring there was still there..... and everything was working correctly... 4 way flashers ... WOW... at Midnight [5 degrees C] Her Father came out to see how things were going.... I said watch this.... I didn't notice that the LH Door was NOW open.... Next minute there was smoke bellowing out from under the bonnet... My Son had seen a spare wire... which went to the interior lamp switch.... and had found a spare connector to push it on to.... When I pulled the 4 way hazard light switch out..
The wire from the door switch is a DEAD SHORT CIRCUIT and wires and the Flasher unit itself all melted before we pulled the cable from the battery.... So No more helpers... Do it Yourself & You only do it once..... I'd better be off... bye Jen & thanks for the well wishes.... If all the candles on the cake are lit.... the fire brigade will probably turn up LOL,,,,:birthday:birthday thanks jen

That's weird it's my Birthday today aswell.

Hey Jen, do you know what model Harley they are off?

Pat , you can get the Harley Indicators from Harley Heavan in Brunswick, Melb. Only cost about $13 bucks each for Taiwan repros. They have other really cool billet ones in there too if you wnated to really go mad.
You will need to make up a bracket to attach them onto the bumper brackets. Pretty easy with a bit of flat plate steel ( I used 1/8th x 20mm) bent in a vise. I could probably make some up for you if you wanted.

Thanks, I'll let you know about the brackets.

$13 sweet!! I was worried they would be ridiculously overpriced like all other Harley parts.

How did you wire them up? are you using a flasher can?

There are two ways to stop taiwanese chrome from rusting.... One is to polish it with a Good Quality Wax every week.... the other one is to paint the item with a good quality clear pressure pack paint... You will probably have to clean the wax etc off the chrome with metho or proper dewaxing liquid from an auto shop.... with the Harley blinkers.. just place them lense face down and spray with a few light coats... the paint shouldn't hurt the lenses... and actually I have sprayed dull tail lamp & blinker lenses with clear enamel pressure pak to get them shiny again....:o:thumb just make sure the Paint is a Good brand like DULUX Taubmans etc... and forget about Rust..... or else just add wax to the parts at least once a week,,, abd keeo Your fingers crossed... Lee:o Something to think about Pat !!!! Lee

Thanks for the tip Lee, does it dull the finish at all?

Oh by the way:birthday

Just make sure You buy CLEAR Gloss enemal Pressure pack and it'll be like new forever.... and if it does dull over time..... another quick respray...:birthday to You to Pat...
Its 38 degrees here in Scone at the moment. I have been doing a bit on My 68AutoBug since 7am this morning.. but its just too hot now.... Can You read the colors OK Pat???? I have a dark background... Lee

The colours are fine.

38 degrees whew!!
I really should have taken my birthday off. It's like the 2nd or 3rd day we've had decent weather here in melb, and I would much rather be working on my car.

Pat :birthday

No idea what model or year the Harley lights are. They are really cute egg shaped things with eyebrows like her headlights

Ok the problem with the L rear indicator light and stop light was that the tail light assembly was rusted a little and shorting them. New assembly problem fixed.

For those who knew about the clutch problem where Bel would shake herself to death when taking off in first sometimes. The shudder tube was replaced, spacers inserted, 5 new washers. Clutch is so sweet now.

Thanks for the help guys

Until my next dilemma

Jen

[Edited on 16-12-2002 by jenz58]

Good one Jen, problem solved.
I'm gonna dive under the 57 tonite and have a look at the clutch shudder tube. Get rid of the shudder before my fillings drop out. Hopefully I'll have the same result as you.:bounce

Hope you do sort it out!!

Honestly at times I thought Bel would fall into pieces at times and was sorry about damaging her. Also thought that the shaking might have loosen some wiring to lights etc.

Now I'm happy, Bel is well again:bounce