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Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:58 pm

I have a 1963 Microbus that I'm replacing the wiring harness on. Had a tough time pulling the old harness out. After about 4ft. it wasn't budging; we tied it off to a hitch and pushed the vw back - came right out! Unfortunately the line we tied to the old harness to pull the new harness back thru came off as well! We stuck a fish tape down the frame but it stopped approx at the bed (both sides approx 4' in).

Anyone have insight or experienced this problem. Thanks

Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:16 pm

The harness is easier to do from the back to the front because you have to follow the frame curve up over the rear wheel. Best thing to do is pull the harness out and get a 3 or 4 foot piece of heavy wire from the old harness and tape it to the end on the new harness with alot of tape, I used electical tape and wound it around about 20 times. Start feeding the single heavy wire into the frame at the back. It will be easeir to get over the hump in the frame that way. :wink:

Look at the picture, see the hump over the rear wheel

Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:23 pm

I've never had to get a harness in without a guide rope, but when you get there we use duct tape and make it as streamlined as we can (stagger the connectors so it is not a big clump of tape. Whatever you use to pull the new harness through tape it in at least two different places to give it extra strength. And yes, go back to front. Good luck!

Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:37 pm

I used a clutch cable to go thru the frame, my bus came without a harness in it.

Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:39 pm

how many hours did it take people to put the new harness in?

My bus has been a tenement for pack rats for over 14 years and could use a new harness.

Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:42 pm

took me 3 hours to do mine...most of the work was getting all the rust and mud that had settled near the torsion tube...feeding the wires through there was PITA...but an old cluch cable chucked ina drill finally did the trick. 8)

YMMV

Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:57 pm

wow I guess I got damn lucky then, taped some rope to the old and it came right out, the new one went right back in, the hardest part was figuring which wire went to what spot on the fuse block.

Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:33 am

I have put in about 4 bus harnesses and 2 bug wiring harnesses. Usually takes me about 3-4 hours with most of the work in putting the front section together with all the switches and fuse block, but I like to take my time when doing electrical work. I am currently trying to put my DC harness back together after it has been hacked up?

Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:51 am

Any suggestions on the best place to get a new harness - one that fits well? I am thinking about re-wiring my 65 Panel since it is pretty hacked up.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:04 am

Hi. I got my harness directly from Wiring Works 310-519-8147
I really liked the quality and directions that this company offers. If you want to run an Alternator with internal regulator, he will modify the harness for you.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:07 am

I also want to know if you plan on running a 12V system with aftermarket turn-signal/flasher relays. I ran into a problem with these not working right without a little modification to how the wires are hooked up. If are not planning on doing this, then scratch what I have just said.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:48 am

It is 12v now, and it does have an additional flasher relay unit I am not able to identify on any diagrams. It is also a comercial panel, so it has an emergency flasher unit installed from the factory with a really cool red warning light between the speedo and the fuel guage.

Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:23 am

Here is the problem I had. Maybe this topic will help you when you go to hook everything up. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391750&highlight=relay+buzzing