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Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:02 am

i rebuilt my 1600 d.p. engine in my 1970 camper i've had some problems with my lights so i haven't been able to drive her however today i wen't to
back it out of the driveway and when i put her in reverse my engine tried to stall out on me.
What did i do wrong? i followed the books to the letter so i'm confused any info will be appriecated.
thanks
chris

Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:42 am

It usually means your reverse lights are wired to the switch backwards. The lights get their power from the coil and when the coil is grounded the engine dies.

This also explains your light problem. The coil power is going directly to ground instead of through the resistance of the lights...

Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:47 am

Disconnect the reverse light power supply at the coil so you can drive the car, and then you can go find your short at your leisure. Mine was in the fuse holder against the clip that holds it to the fan housing.
Colin

Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:48 am

allright does this mean replace the headlight switch or does this mean we got some wires reversed when we rewired the ignition and if we did "wrongly wire" the ignition, can i fix this with the wiring diagram and a test light.
I really want to fix this. i'm atleast 30 miles from a remotely decent vw shop besides i rather fix it myself that way i can prevent future problems.
thanks for the quick reply
chris

Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:54 am

ratwell wrote: It usually means your reverse lights are wired to the switch backwards. The lights get their power from the coil and when the coil is grounded the engine dies.

This also explains your light problem. The coil power is going directly to ground instead of through the resistance of the lights...

I agree. I did the same thing once. Switch your reverse wire to the other terminal on your coil.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:55 am

I was answering Ratwell's headlight switch reply, then found out that he edited headlamp switch, then I edited my reply, then you responded to "headlamp switch" and NO I don't think it has to do with the headlamp switch, Chris, just disconnect the reverse light wire, the black one that goes to the fuse holder, from the coil until you find your reverse short.
Colin

Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:38 pm

I noticed my own mistake and was editing my reply but Colin got one in before I did as you can see by the timestamps. Sorry for the confusion y'all.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:44 pm

i diconnected the reverse light wire and i can move it. my lights are still whack but atleast i can move her thanx.chris

Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:45 pm

Hee hee.. i'm picturing ratwell and skeptic furiously editing, then reading then apologizing.. personally i think tito should edit his original question just to completely confuse the issue. :)

Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:12 pm

:idea: How about just deleting the thread ( now that the prolbem with the stalling is solved) to avoid any further confusion? :shock: :P

Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:53 pm

bljones wrote: Hee hee.. i'm picturing ratwell and skeptic furiously editing, then reading then apologizing.
I sure hope not what with Colin having turned his back on the rat race and spending more time at the computer... :)

Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:23 pm

>>besides i rather fix it myself that way i can prevent future problems. <<

right on!