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Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:32 pm

Hello eveyone I am completely new to gas engines especially air cooled,(I'm a diesel guy).But my question is ; I have recently purchased a 1971 super convert,and the dash mounted brakelight indicator is on,when you push to test like the good HANES MANUAL bible says,it goes out and blows a fuse.LIght should not be on except when push to test,or park brake is applied.

Thank you for letting me pick your brain
Jason

Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:25 pm

If you're blowing a fuse, there is a short somewhere. Trace the wires to the fuse block and the brake switches on the master cylinder. There is a good chance that there is a bare spot on the wire. The light is supposed to come on when there is a failure in either the front or the back of the system. Is you brake fluid at the right level? Does it stay there or slowly go down? It could also be a faulty switch. The switches are cheap. Just buy two new ones and replace the old ones.

John

Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:14 pm

johneliot wrote: If you're blowing a fuse, there is a short somewhere. Trace the wires to the fuse block and the brake switches on the master cylinder. There is a good chance that there is a bare spot on the wire. The light is supposed to come on when there is a failure in either the front or the back of the system. Is you brake fluid at the right level? Does it stay there or slowly go down? It could also be a faulty switch. The switches are cheap. Just buy two new ones and replace the old ones.

John

Thanks for replying John,I've only had the car a week now,and still sorting out a few other things to pass a SAFETY INSPECTION and a complete brake job is in order,but will be sure to check for a short

Jason

Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:03 pm

There is no emerg brake warning light in a '71 Super.

You can test the whole system from a T3 connector in the trunk right where the harness comes through from the master cylinder. You can test the switches, dash light and tail lights from here.

To remove the warning light and check it's connections you must depress tabs on each side. Slip something thin (small putty knife?) in from each side to depress the tabs and pry the light out. It pops out easy.

From Speedy Jims site>

jim

Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:00 pm

Thanks for the wiring diagram james I'll be sure to take a good look at this when it stops raining.Like I said ,this is all new to me and proving to be a little challenging but all too rewarding

THANKS

Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:53 pm

jamesdagg wrote: There is no emerg brake warning light in a '71 Super
Huh?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/71bug/page28.jpg

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:02 pm

Does anyone know what wires hook to where on the back of the warning light? The light has three prongs they are marked 15, K and unmarked. I have a hot line coming off of the wiper motor, a wire coming off of the brake switches and a ground coming off of the hazard switch. Any help would be great!

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:04 pm

mnussbau wrote: jamesdagg wrote: There is no emerg brake warning light in a '71 Super
Huh?

Meaning when you put on the parking brake, the light does not glow. Referring to this part of the post...

3vdubs wrote: LIght should not be on except when push to test,or park brake is applied.

That feature was not available in '71...

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:11 pm

Gotcha.

Here's the wiring diagram, though it doesn't show terminal numbers...see K7.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bug_super_71.jpg

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:16 pm

I've got that. I think the red wire goes to the center of the dash light but I have no idea about the other two wires. Should I just do trial and error? 50% chance of getting it right... I just don't want to blow anything.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:54 pm

Ok, on the 72 wiring diagram there are more wires, but 15 is hooked to black and K is hooked to red.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:58 pm

mnussbau wrote: Ok, on the 72 wiring diagram there are more wires, but 15 is hooked to black and K is hooked to red. Thanks! I'll let you know if it works.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:29 pm

Thanks to all who have replied,I knew I chose the right brains to pick.
You guys seem to know more than the average person should!
I,will be sure to post results of my findings as soon as this repair is complete,and by the way I did not realize that Light should not come on when e-brake is applied.

Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:05 pm

mnussbau wrote: Gotcha.

Here's the wiring diagram, though it doesn't show terminal numbers...see K7.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bug_super_71.jpg

Hate to hyjack, but d you have a link for a 74 wiring digram like that one?

Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:16 pm

slickrock wrote: Hate to hyjack, but d you have a link for a 74 wiring digram like that one?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/74-up113wiring.jpg

Found it here.