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Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:01 am

I've seen several posts on wiring harnesses for '73, but none of the links lead to one. So I have several questions. Can one be created? And what would I need to do that? And what's the difference between a main wiring harness and a full wiring harness? Also what's the difference between a wiring harness for a 72 and one for a 73? I know some of the components are different, but which ones? I love my Super Beetle and am looking forward to doing the work on it.

Chelsea

Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:05 am

The complete wire harness does the full job as the name implies. It is everything from headlights to taillights. Consider the wiring to be three large wire looms. The rear loom runs from the voltage regulator under the rear seat back through the inner fender to the engine bay and rear lights. The main loom runs from the voltage regulator under the rear seat forwards and up the left kick panel to the fuse box. The front loom runs from the fuse panel to the headlights, signals, horn etc. in the trunk area. There are, of course some smaller looms included with the complete kit such as the small loom that runs to the master cylinder, the wire that runs to the reverse switch and the wire between the voltage regulator and the battery.

The main difference between the '72 and the '73 Super is the location of the fuse box. The '72 has both a shorter main harness and a shorter front harness.

Here's one from Wolfsburg West that indicates it fits all '72-'73 Beetles and convertibles. (all 'verts at this time were Supers and the '73 had the relocated fuse panel)
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113971011K

I'd call to double check just to be sure.

Good luck with your project.

Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:21 pm

Alternators came out in mid '73 so there would be some differences there and so did the diagnostic wires. The seat belt warning system started in '72 IIRC and got more complex in '74.

Fresh air system and wiring changed in '73 Supers.

jim

Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:41 pm

Diagnostic wires must've come out in '72. I had a '72 Baja SE (Marathon Edition) with the diagnostics plug. It's not really needed anyhow as nobody has these diagnostic testers anymore.

The alternator came out in mid '73. It's a simple procedure of bypassing the voltage regulator under the seat if the wire harness is so equipped for generator or external voltage regulator alternator and you are connecting an internally regulated one.

All three red wires connect together.
Blue wire connects to green wire.
All brown wires connect together and ground to body.

The seat belt warning devices are factory add-ons and same can be done if you still have the original wiring for these. The blower fan simply plugs into the fuse panel.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:10 am

Thank you so much. You've been a great help. This should be exactly what I need.

Chelsea

Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:34 pm

So will the main wiring harness include the engine harness or do I need a different one? if so, will the standard 72 engine wiring harness do the work?