This is my 1st post, so here goes.
My blinkers blink slowly.
When you pull out the flasher knob sometimes the knob blinks and the little box behind the dash ticks either very fast, very slow, or not at all, and while doing this the lights do nothing.
When I press the button on the blinker switch the only thing that happens is the front lights go out and then back on, and the box ticks.
The car is still six volt. I am new to this and have had the car for a few months. Also, when is the little bulb in front of the headlight supposed to come on?
Lighting problems!
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fatalifeaten
- Senior Member
- Posts: 512
- Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:05 am
- Location: The 480
Ok, wiring expert I am not, but I'll offer what I can.
First, the bulb in front of the headlight is your running lamp if you still have a stock lighting configuration. They'd come on when you pull the headlight switch out to the first stop (should be 2 positions, with the furthest one out being headlights on)
Now, slow blinkers are par for the course in a 6v car, nature of the beast.
The button on your blinker switch (if by blinker switch you mean the stalk on the steering column for your turn signals) is your bright light switch. Your high beams should come on when you press it. Sounds like you have some wiring issues and/or failed headlights up there based on my interpretation of your description.
This may help, it's a wiring diagram for a '66 bug.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... /bug66.jpg
Lastly, your emergency flasher switch sounds like it's either failing or in need of a good cleaning. I'd try the latter first and see if it helps.
Old wiring is often a major headache, but the best thing you can do is go through and clean all the contacts well and check for broken or frayed wiring and shorts. Repair what you can find and see if that resolves your issues. You can get a replacement harness if you end up having to go that route, but the process of getting it installed can be very frustrating depending on your mechanical and electrical aptitude.
First, the bulb in front of the headlight is your running lamp if you still have a stock lighting configuration. They'd come on when you pull the headlight switch out to the first stop (should be 2 positions, with the furthest one out being headlights on)
Now, slow blinkers are par for the course in a 6v car, nature of the beast.
The button on your blinker switch (if by blinker switch you mean the stalk on the steering column for your turn signals) is your bright light switch. Your high beams should come on when you press it. Sounds like you have some wiring issues and/or failed headlights up there based on my interpretation of your description.
This may help, it's a wiring diagram for a '66 bug.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... /bug66.jpg
Lastly, your emergency flasher switch sounds like it's either failing or in need of a good cleaning. I'd try the latter first and see if it helps.
Old wiring is often a major headache, but the best thing you can do is go through and clean all the contacts well and check for broken or frayed wiring and shorts. Repair what you can find and see if that resolves your issues. You can get a replacement harness if you end up having to go that route, but the process of getting it installed can be very frustrating depending on your mechanical and electrical aptitude.
Thank you for that information, I just tried the flashers yesterday and the blinker box made a grinding noise then they started working as they should! The wiring does look lightly coroded, and I'll get to that soon. I will check on those head lamps, I havn't thought too much about them because though they are dim, they come on.
I have only seen one of my running lamps come on once, because of either wiring or old bulbs. When I took one of them out the glass bulb came out of it's metal base, so I'll get a pair of those at my next parts run.
I have only seen one of my running lamps come on once, because of either wiring or old bulbs. When I took one of them out the glass bulb came out of it's metal base, so I'll get a pair of those at my next parts run.
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Blue Baron
- Senior Member
- Posts: 879
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
- Location: Tampa, Florida
Start with basics like cleaning or replacing your battery cables and cleaning the grounds. I would also recommend an Optima battery, as mentioned in another thread. This way you have a little more 6-volt clout, for what it's worth.
A new headlight switch can also make a big difference, as all the power basically flows through it. My wife's VW had a dying 6-volt system when I first met her, and a fresh headlight switch made a major improvement. It was like a miracle how just an hour's worth of work transformed it. I wouldn't say that's why we're now married, but it didn't hurt!
A new headlight switch can also make a big difference, as all the power basically flows through it. My wife's VW had a dying 6-volt system when I first met her, and a fresh headlight switch made a major improvement. It was like a miracle how just an hour's worth of work transformed it. I wouldn't say that's why we're now married, but it didn't hurt!
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mistered1966
- New Member
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Concord, CA
Lighting Problems
I have also experienced problems with my turn signals. After replacing the fuses and signal relay I still can't get the darn things to blink! Checked/cleaned all bulbs and contacts. Brake and rear lights work, as well as headlights low and high beam. When I try to use the turn signal I get a brief buzzing sound from the relay. If this is a ground problem, where specifically do I start looking?