1974 Super Beetle Speedometer Lights

[EZ Gruv]

Having some issues, here is a synopsis:

1974 Super Beetle
Everything worked properly prior to removing the speedometer (diagnosed a seized speedo after breaking a cable). I labeled and numbered each wire and terminal on the speedo before removal, to be sure I put it back together correctly.

Now, the gauge illumination lights (white) no longer work. Also, the turn signal indicator stays on steady green (doesn't flash); the turn signals on the exterior don't light up either.
Additionally, the Fasten Belts/Brake warning light no longer works.

Every other light in the speedo works fine.
When the headlights are on, the running lights work.
The hazard lights flash; both the indicator in the speedo, and the exterior lights.

All fuses are good.
I checked all the ground connections I could find; all secure.

I did find this black/white wire, with a broken spade connector under the dash. I was able to trace it to the fuse box (number 10), but I cannot find where it broke off from.



Thoughts?

[Hippie]

Does it come from or go to the dimmer part of the headlight switch?

[EZ Gruv]

Not that I can see. Looking at the back of the headlight switch, I can't see anywhere that looks like a spade broke off.

[dtrumbo]

According to the diagram, there is a black/white wire that travels from fuse 10 to the wiper switch. Do your wipers work correctly (both speeds)?. I'm not familiar with a '74, but on my '79 the connections for the wiper switch, turn signal switch and ignition switch are all located at the base of the steering column. If that loose wire ends up being part of your wiper circuit, it's plausible that wires/connectors that are related to your turn signal circuit are loose too. Have a look around the steering column and see if anything has popped half-off.

[EZ Gruv]

I'll be man enough to admit I suck at reading the wiring diagrams. Grrrrr.

The wipers work on slow speed only at this point. I'll have to ask my daughter if both speeds worked previously (it's her car).

I've made sure the plugs at the base of the steering column are secure, but I haven't checked to see if the wire came from there.

[Amskeptic]

1974 Super Beetle
Everything worked properly prior to removing the speedometer

gauge illumination lights no
turn signal indicator doesn't flash
Fasten Belts/Brake warning light no longer works.

Thoughts?

Illumination is an easy daisy chain of grey/red wire from light switch.

Check wire from turn signal switch to flasher relay

Check from lamp backwards.

The ladder wiring diagrams are actually pretty easy to use but you MUST clear your mind of resistance.
Go to big list of parts and look for "brake warning light" or somesuch. Find the current track number.
Follow the current track numbers along the bottom to yours. Top of diagram is electrical source, bottom of diagram is ground.
Colin

[EZ Gruv]

Ok, some developments:

1. I'm getting 12V on the gray/red wire at the headlight switch
2. Tracing that wire to the Hazard switch, going in it is 12 V
3. Where it comes out of the Hazard switch, at the spade at the bottom, it is only putting out 6V
4. Each gauge illumination light (white) is only getting the 6V

I was able to get the white lights to light up with the key on by using a jumper wire to the that black loose wire I posted a photo of.

Could the hazard switch have shorted out inside?

[Amskeptic]

Ok, some developments:

1. I'm getting 12V on the gray/red wire at the headlight switch
2. Tracing that wire to the Hazard switch, going in it is 12 V
3. Where it comes out of the Hazard switch, at the spade at the bottom, it is only putting out 6V
4. Each gauge illumination light (white) is only getting the 6V

I was able to get the white lights to light up with the key on by using a jumper wire to the that black loose wire I posted a photo of.

Could the hazard switch have shorted out inside?

Remember that the instrument illumination is dimmable at the light switch knob.
There is no "in" and "out" at the emergency switch. The instrument illumination circuit (grey/red) stops by at terminal 58. That's it. It is a daisy chain. It cannot continue from "some spade at the bottom". You *do* have a parking light warning light wire (grey/black) which should be terminal 57 that leads to the green parking lamp warning bulb within the oil gen high beam collection. No guessing here! If you cannot see the terminal designations on these switches, disconnect the battery, label and remove wires using whatever your system is, clean the switches and write down the terminal numbers next to your own notes that you did to remove the switch in the first place.
Colin

[EZ Gruv]

Here we go....pics

The headlight switch; The grey/red dash wire goes nowhere - perhaps for the non-existent clock?
The gray/red stripe wire goes to the flasher switch



Flasher switch
The gray/red stripe wire goes into the flasher switch on the second connection from the top, as you can see in these photos.
The gray/red dash wire coupled with it goes only to the light that illuminates the heater levers.
The gray/red dash wire at the bottom goes to the speedometer lights. (If I hook up a jumper from the fuse box to this wire, the lights will work)
You can also see the brown ground wire.




Top of the flasher switch



Right side of the flasher switch

[EZ Gruv]

Alrighty, got the gauge illumination lights working; daisy chained as they should be.
Now, the turn signals...

[Amskeptic]

Alrighty, got the gauge illumination lights working; daisy chained as they should be.
Now, the turn signals...

Man, I forgot about the late-model plasticky plastictictic. Glad you got the illumination going.

[EZ Gruv]

Glad you got the illumination going.

Me too!
Now onto the turn signals....tonight after work...

[EZ Gruv]

I hooked up that loose black wire to the #15 spade on the hazard switch.
Viola! Turn signals!

Thanks