Hi all

I'm having continual problems with the lights on my '74 Standard Beetle.

Both headlights work but the tail lights are extremely dim. Way too dim to be legal I'd say. Also one of the terminals on the switch (which has a red wire going into it) gets extremely hot within a very short time of the headlights being on.

The switch is the pull out type. It has 5 large terminals on the back, and a 6th much smaller one which I think is for the instrument panel lights but doesn't seem to work.

This has only started happening recently. I know it's not the bulbs as they're both new as of yesterday and the brake lights are okay. Does anyone know how these switches are supposed to be wired up? I haven't managed to find anything showing the terminals and what they're for.

Cheers

Andrew

Switches are not meant to get hot.

Power can be given off in heat or light

If i was a drinking person i would bet you a dozen crownies either
1) you have a loose terminal on the switch causing a high resistance joint and loosing power
2) the switch is fooked inside and.... as above

Make sure all the wires and snug fit and not loose
If they are just cahnge the switch

Wires are all very snug. I cut my hand pulling one of the terminals off when it suddenly let go and I bashed my hand on the jagged rusty hole in my dashboard.

I'll replace the switch as soon as possible. No night driving for me till then I suppose.

Have you got a multi / volt meter????

Check what volts you have at the bulb to earth.
Pound to a penny you dont have 12.

It sounds like you are dropping them at the switch

If Volkswagenwerk has used releys instead of ALL the current going thru the switch contacts... this wouldn't happen.... I love relays... they make switches last longer..

I agree.. Your Switch contacts are either burnt-pitted etc and has a resistance causing heat.... there should be numbers on the switch 56a 56b 57 58 etc... label each wire so You don't have problems...
If You don't know which wires go where they are a pain in the butt....

Incidently... You shouldn't have rusty bits behind the dash... or anywhere else on Your Beetle,,,
Buy some Fish Oil and spray the rusted areas... a few times..
just make sure the rust isn't damp... and it won't get any worse... Fish Oil stops RUST.... it stops the air getting to the rust.. no air No Rust.... simple... it smells for a while... better than rust... though...

Lee

If the taillights are dim i suggest that you remove them and clean up the terminals, as there may be an earthing problem. check your headlights as well as earthing problems seem to be the major with brightness of lights.

This applies especially to 6 Volt cars.

A HOT wire on the back of a switch means there is a Resistance in the switch... there shouldn't be... so the tail lamps are NOT getting 12 volts...

All electrical terminals on Air Cooled beetles should be wire brushed until they shine.. just like they were when they left the factory over 30 years ago... It Does make a difference..
The earth strap should be taken off, and cleaned where it contacts the chassis - chassis should also be shiney.. and a New bright or stainless steel bolt used...
This is especially true when You only have 6 volts of pressure to push the current around... but 12 volts need it too... I have polished every connection in My Beetle and soldered every wire connection... [with New wire & new connector]

Back to Our friends delimma - Another Switch is needed...

Lee --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug