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electrics and rewiring beetle
zeppelin-vwwe - September 19th, 2017 at 05:39 PM

Hey all

I've had an intermittent problem with my beetle's electrics for a while. In typical VW fashion, problems arise then disappear when I get it checked out.

Main issue nowis with the right indicator sometimes working and sometimes not. Indicating left always works.

Wondering if anyone has encountered a similar problem and what the issue may have been.

I am also thinking about "starting again" and rewiring the whole car. Has anyone here done this recently? about how much would a whole rewire cost??

It's a great bug, my pride and joy, but its at least a 23 year old restoration, so its getting to the point of needing some freshening up.

I'm in Sutherland shire Sydney, if anybody out there can recommend a good auto electrician who knows these cars.

Anyone who has done a restoration recently, I would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks


BlasterTheRedBajaBug - September 19th, 2017 at 05:49 PM

Hi,
This is possibly the easiest if you are DIY but that is the best I can come up with.
http://www.vollks.com.au/store/Vw-Bug-Buggy-Universal-Wire-Harness-W-Fuse-Box...
Cheers


zeppelin-vwwe - September 19th, 2017 at 08:43 PM

cool. that's an interesting link, and much cheaper than I thought.

I'll give that site a thorough read over.

thanks


BlasterTheRedBajaBug - September 19th, 2017 at 10:13 PM

Hi,
That is possibly one of the only Australian companies that sells them, and yes I found it a fair bit cheaper than other options too.
Cheers


southspark - September 20th, 2017 at 09:13 AM

It always amazes me that some people will spend weeks and a lot of money just to fit an inferior wiring to a beetle, instead of spending a few dollars to repair a simple problem. go and buy yourself a 12v test light ,contact me and ill talk you through the fix.

Regards Paul


ancientbugger - September 20th, 2017 at 12:29 PM

The indicator problem is probably no more than a bad contact with the bulb holder. Try new bulbs front and back and clean up the contact areas after all the car is probably 40 years old now.


vw54 - September 20th, 2017 at 07:44 PM

What year is the car

more than likely a loose fitting or wire into the coloum or bulb holder most prob an earth issue
EASY fix as Paul says


zeppelin-vwwe - September 23rd, 2017 at 05:22 PM

Yeah I don't think its the bulb, its from under the dash I believe, as it is an intermittent failure that comes and goes.

Once while trying to address it, it knocked out the ignition.

Also, my car has a very strange glass fuse box, wouldn't know what car that's out of. Sure an auto electrician will be able to diagnose and fix the indicator issue in no time.

Only reason I am thinking about a rewire is just to clean up the spaghetti mess of wiring under the dash that I have never liked.

Its one of those things. My car was restored over twenty years ago and I am thinking about its time to start looking into freshening it all up... if only it didn't cost so many $$$$


southspark - September 23rd, 2017 at 07:56 PM

It looks like your car is already suffering from non standard wiring ,the cause of many a problem with a VW.
what model is your bug? I still have a few old complete wiring looms . Just out of curiosity how much do you think the repair is going to cost?

Paul


bushed - September 24th, 2017 at 06:54 AM

a switch problemo can affect the whole cars performance if the contacts are lose or toasted from lose fittings.
I have a loom for about 1964 modl been in a bag for 30 yrs outa the Qld sun..orig vw !! ditto Paul


zeppelin-vwwe - September 24th, 2017 at 08:13 AM

It's a very non-standard 62.

As far as cost of repair, I wouldn't really know.. hence the thread.

But i'll ask an auto electrician first before I buy any looms for a rewire


southspark - September 24th, 2017 at 11:06 AM

Talk to Bushed about the loom. I have never spent more than a day changing or repairing an early beetle wiring.
ps .you are talking to an auto electrician( 45 yrs. specialising in VW but always learning!)

Paul


zeppelin-vwwe - September 26th, 2017 at 04:57 PM

Cheers Paul.

Everyone says they're easy. Just with my back I don't really have the confidence or know-how to get under the bonnet and do it myself, as why I was wondering on cost


vw54 - September 26th, 2017 at 05:42 PM

post some pictures of the fuse box and other bits please