Ignition Switch Wiring

[PirateBoB]

I looked all over the forums, but everyone is talking about a 4 wire ignition switch and how it is wired (for '72 +). I have a 69 bug. the local bug shop only had the 4 wire switch and i have 3 wires going to the switch. I spent a week working on it and triing to find some info here but i had to hot wire it.
There are 3 wires going to the ignition from the fuse box. where do these wires go on the switch? and where does the coil wire go to from the coil. i have it on a toggle switch right now. if you can just give me a straight forward wire diagram of the switch i should be able to figure it out. Also, what are the wires on the switch for? (constant power, power, ground?, i dunno)

Thank you for your time.

[jamesdagg]

Your car does not have SU for the buzzer or X which is power that goes on with the key but off when cranking. More power to the starter if the lights go off when cranking.

jim
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'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[ashman40]

The '69 ignition switch (electrical) is rather simple. It should've originally had three wires (Red+Red/Blk+Blk).
The thick Red wire (#30) is the 12v constant source coming from the fuse block via the headlight switch. The thick Red/Blk (#50) is the output to the starter. The Blk (#15) is the output to the ignition circuit at the fuse block. From there it goes to the coil. Check out the wiring diagram for your year here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bug_6869.jpg

Your switch may look something like this:

http://www.eisparts.com/311905865A.html

Don't be surprised if your replacement part has more wires than the original. The above switch looks like it comes w/ an extra Grey wire (maybe a key sensor for the door buzzer?).

Hope that helps.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[jamesdagg]

Yes the gray wire is for the buzzer but you can use it, with a relay, to create an accessory position so you can listen to your stereo with the engine off and have it go off only when you pull the key out.

I posted a diagram how to do this. Very easy.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[Gary]

[PirateBoB]

yes it is. thank you very much for the info. i really hated having to hot wire the car, it pisses me off everytime i get in. because everything else is tits in it.

aight, so looking at the fuse block with the hood popped, i see the wires attaching to it, some from the top and some from the bottom. the Black (#15) from the ignition switch conects to the TOP(?) of the fuse block?

I think i got a good understanding of the rest. I amy need more coffee. i dunno.

Thanks for your help guys.

[jamesdagg]

I always forget whether it's top or bottom but it's easy to tell. The hot unfused side has several of the connectors "twinned". The fused or downstream side has none twinned.

If you are using an inline fuse attach to the hot unfused side, either with the heavy red wires (always hot) or the black (hot with key) wires.

Here is how to use the gray wire for accessories.(sorry about the pic quality, I don't know how to make it better)

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

[runamoc]

[rjwblue1]

On my 71 Ghia I have 4 wires from the switch to the fuse box but I would like to use a replacement switch that has 6 wires... Will that work?

[runamoc]

You really only need 3 wires. Hot, on, start.

[rjwblue1]