TheSamba.com :: View topic - Any OG ignition sw. with 'accessory' stop? (and starter q.)

Sat May 05, 2012 6:14 am

Nearing the end of rewiring my bus, and I want to find a 4 way ignition switch like modern cars have for running stereo/etc without the car on. Did VW ever make one that can be wired as such, later on in the years? I don't want to use this generic POS one I have if I can avoid it.

Also, I know about the trials and tribulations of removing the old ignition switch already.

Regarding my starter, underneath there is an external relay or some box mounted near the starter, I fear it is one of those 'band aid relays' or some such device. Is this a good indicator that my starter is due for a replacement? Can I just roll with one of the 40 dollar ones from my FLAPS, and how difficult is the replacement (haven't checked the steps in Bentley yet, just thought I'd ask since I'm here).

Edit. I have a '71 Westy, by the way. The electronics have been hacked to pieces, hence my undertaking this complete rewiring.

Thank you all!

Sat May 05, 2012 6:55 am

That solenoid was used a fix for a shitty wire harness that wasnt allowing the proper voltage to get to the starter. It redirected the voltage straight to the starter instead of up to the front and back to the starter. If your completely rewiring your bus there should be no need for the relay anymore.

Sat May 05, 2012 7:01 am

X2 on not needing the starter relay; my Bus came with one installed and I just left it on until one day I drove home through some really deep puddles and the next morning my Bus wouldn't start because the relay got wet. Funny thing is once I removed the relay my Bus actually started better...

Sat May 05, 2012 8:20 am

odecom5 wrote: Nearing the end of rewiring my bus, and I want to find a 4 way ignition switch like modern cars have for running stereo/etc without the car on. Did VW ever make one that can be wired as such, later on in the years? I don't want to use this generic POS one I have if I can avoid it.

This has been on the type2 list a few times, and this is a good fix for what I *think* you are referring too...

------------------
To: type2 list <type2(-at-)type2.com>
Subject: Re: [T2] stereo wiring double check

On 5/5/05 3:02 PM, "Rogelio" <rpalomera(-at-)comcast.net> wrote:

> I like the idea of listening to the radio without the key in on position,
> but I don't like the idea of it depleting my battery if it gets turned on
> accidentally (I know it can happen :-| )

I think this is a clever way to wire the circuit, no extra switches. Jamie
Rivers told me how to do it this way:

For the switched power feed for the stereo, use the wire that goes to the
hot side of the key buzzer relay in the fuse box. This wire has 12V power
when the key is put in the ignition, but the key does not have to be turned.
This way, to listen to tunes, just stick the key in the ignition, but no
need to turn it. You will never "forget" about it this way, unless you are
prone to leaving your keys in the ignition. In fact, I AM prone to leaving
my keys behind, and this wiring trick actually helps prevent it, as the
radio stays on until the key is removed, sort of like a gentle reminder to
remove the key.
---------------------------

Sat May 05, 2012 9:59 am

Collie wrote: odecom5 wrote: Nearing the end of rewiring my bus, and I want to find a 4 way ignition switch like modern cars have for running stereo/etc without the car on. Did VW ever make one that can be wired as such, later on in the years? I don't want to use this generic POS one I have if I can avoid it.

This has been on the type2 list a few times, and this is a good fix for what I *think* you are referring too...

------------------
To: type2 list <type2(-at-)type2.com>
Subject: Re: [T2] stereo wiring double check

On 5/5/05 3:02 PM, "Rogelio" <rpalomera(-at-)comcast.net> wrote:

> I like the idea of listening to the radio without the key in on position,
> but I don't like the idea of it depleting my battery if it gets turned on
> accidentally (I know it can happen :-| )

I think this is a clever way to wire the circuit, no extra switches. Jamie
Rivers told me how to do it this way:

For the switched power feed for the stereo, use the wire that goes to the
hot side of the key buzzer relay in the fuse box. This wire has 12V power
when the key is put in the ignition, but the key does not have to be turned.
This way, to listen to tunes, just stick the key in the ignition, but no
need to turn it. You will never "forget" about it this way, unless you are
prone to leaving your keys in the ignition. In fact, I AM prone to leaving
my keys behind, and this wiring trick actually helps prevent it, as the
radio stays on until the key is removed, sort of like a gentle reminder to
remove the key.
---------------------------

Not a bad idea, I kind of like this one. Thanks. May end up using this if I can't find anything better, and don't want to hassle with removing the current ignition.

Sat May 05, 2012 10:25 am

If i'm looking at the wiring diagram right, would that be terminal '30' on the ignition switch (solid red) which I would wire to, using the above method?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bus_8_70_usa.jpg

Thanks.

Sat May 05, 2012 5:04 pm

I believe it's the SU terminal. Definitely not 30.

Sun May 06, 2012 7:08 am

Mr. Unpopular wrote: I believe it's the SU terminal. Definitely not 30.

Ok. That would make more sense. I think I was reading it backwards and was confused about the 'hot' side of the buzzer relay (which I'm fairly certain doesn't exist on my bus anyway).

It looks like it's a 20 AWG wire, though. Would that be a problem relying on it to put out more power than just a door contact buzzer?

Sun May 06, 2012 1:56 pm

Well, on most radio's there's 2 power wires. A constant hot, which is the thicker wire which handles the clock and memory functions, but also most of the radios power needs, and the smaller hot which is switched, this is what turns the radio on when the ignition is on. It's usually a 2a fuse which is fine for that 20 gauge wire.

Sun May 06, 2012 2:51 pm

Mr. Unpopular wrote: Well, on most radio's there's 2 power wires. A constant hot, which is the thicker wire which handles the clock and memory functions, but also most of the radios power needs, and the smaller hot which is switched, this is what turns the radio on when the ignition is on. It's usually a 2a fuse which is fine for that 20 gauge wire.

oh I see. I thought they worked a little different. I thought the thin wire was for memory retention etc. and the thick wire was from the ignition switched power feed to supply main power. Learned something today.

Tell me about this SU terminal. on what years is it present, and what is its location on the back of the ignition switch?