84 Van fuse question, I can't seem to find them for sale?

[camerahunter]

I am having "issues" with my fuse box lately. I'm wondering what amp the fuses with the full width strip on it are? There is one on the top spot on the fuse panel where there are two by themselves. The one on the left. Another operates the wipers and I think it's the 4th one from the right?
I am guessing this is a 30 amp fuse and not a 25 amp?

Thank you,

David
_________________
1991 GL (needs a oil pump)
Blue 1985 GL - FIXED thanks to this forum!
White 1985 GL - Daily driver

[thatvwbusguy]

The amperage rating is usually stamped on the back side of the old style fuses.

The GBC fuses that are used in early vans are typically available in the following amperage ratings:

5A - usually yellow
8A - usually white
16A - usually red
25A - usually blue

On occasion you might run into a 10A (green or black) or a 40A (grey) GBC fuse, but they are pretty rare to find in the US.

If you don't have an owners manual with the fuse listing for your van, there is a good scan on www.vanagonparts.com in the technical information section under electrical.

If you can post a picture of the fuse in question, I might be able to help more.

GBC fuses are definitely available in most parts places. I have seen them at Advance, AutoZone and NAPA in the past.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
VANAGON HEADLIGHT RELAYS & HARD START RELAYS

[Wildthings]

Try to find the ones with brass colored strips instead of the zinc colored strips as the zinc corrodes badly. Also use dielectric grease on the ends of the fuses to further cut down on corrosion. If your fuse box has melted then its time to hit the wrecking yards or perform some form of jury rig.

I recently saw that Baxters had some brass stripped fused on their shelves.

[70coupyel]

85??

I'm sure this can help you.
From a 85 owner's manual

_________________

[camerahunter]

Thanks for the replies.
The problem I had identifying the fuse or why I thought it was above 16 amp is because they are the old tin ones. The strip is a lot wider then the new brass strip.
The Van has suffered some serious re-wiring problems by the previous owner. I knew about some of it but it's all way over my head. This will be a different topic for help one of these days when I have time to tackle it.
Let's just say I traded 3 derelict vans for one but the new one has the same number of headlights that the 3 vans had combined.

Thank you,

David
_________________
1991 GL (needs a oil pump)
Blue 1985 GL - FIXED thanks to this forum!
White 1985 GL - Daily driver

[rsxsr]

On the subject, the early fuse box limit for a fuse is 16 amps. I tried using a 25amp fuse when I upgraded the radiator fan to the later one. The later vanagon calls for a 30 amp fuse. I figured the 25amp would work and if not, would pop and I could move the circuit off the fusebox.

Well, that is not what happened, the load was so much, it melted the fusebox enough that the circuit quit. I mention this to anyone who might attempt to add more load to the stock early fusebox. Fortunately replacement ones are available and relatively inexpensive. Live and learn.
_________________
1982 Diesel Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1987 Syncro Tin Top. Organ Donor
2011 TDI Jetta Sportwagen.

[Wildthings]

[DAIZEE]

I have one (old style). I bought it cause I was gonna change my old one out but ended up cleaning old and reusing. There are some harnesses on it. You shipping?
_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.

[70coupyel]

Bus Depot and Van Again has them listed on their web sites.
_________________

[thatvwbusguy]

The fuse block is part #111937505M. There are two versions available with the same part number. One is the fuse block only, the other includes the relay plate at the top. For a direct fit, be sure to get the one with the relay plate.

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/vanag...11937505-m
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
VANAGON HEADLIGHT RELAYS & HARD START RELAYS

[Wildthings]

[rsxsr]

I got my replacement fusebox from Cip1. I am 99% this is the one I got. It is not listed for the early vanagon. I got a new cover while I was ordering. The swap was fairly straightforward. I disconnected the battery and did one wire at a time. I took notes as I swapped the wires from the relay panel. A small pick will release the "tang" on the wire clip. mark

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D937%2D505%2DM
_________________
1982 Diesel Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1987 Syncro Tin Top. Organ Donor
2011 TDI Jetta Sportwagen.

[Leebo]

I'm with Wildthings, I need to replace the upper right fuse box that has the two extra fuses on my rig. I had an earlier post asking what the one (of the two) closet to the steering column was for (mine melted). I've seen the diagram, and was able to narrow it down to the overheating fuse (I think). The only other option , for my rig, would be the auxilary heating, but I know what that is exactly. It's not for the rear bench heater is it?
_________________
'84 Westy
1.9L w/'89 tranny

[rsxsr]

Part number for the auxilary fusebox is 171 937 501. Part numbers starting in 171 are for VW rabbits. It is considered and auxilary or add on fuseblock and could have been used for a few different things depending on year. The Bentley wiring diagram for your year should tell you what is fused on it. mark
_________________
1982 Diesel Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1987 Syncro Tin Top. Organ Donor
2011 TDI Jetta Sportwagen.

[turbotransporter]

If you are working on cleaning and polishing fuses, it is also a good idea to clean up the numerous ground connections above and to the LEFT of the fuse panel.

I have found that the bare brass connectors at the "ground crowns" become loose over time and when I've tried to tighten them (by gently squeezing with a pliers) they simply break. It's a tight space to work in but well worth the effort to change them all.

The wipers in my 85 Westy used to blow the fuse until I replaced the loose ground connector on that circuit. While I had the fuse panel removed I noticed the positive connector and wire for that circuit had begun to melt/burn from the resistance. I spliced in a new section of wire with a new connector (plus the new ground connector), problem solved!

There's nothing like the smell of melting/burning wires to scare the poo out of a Vanagon driver.

[camerahunter]

I've cleaned up the ground crowns on all of my past vans. I just take them out and clean them on my bench with my Foredom jewelers drill and a brass brush. Much easier.
I have an extra complete fuse block here so I think I'm going to just clean it up on the bench and swap the whole thing out with my super sirty one that's in the van now.
_________________
1991 GL (needs a oil pump)
Blue 1985 GL - FIXED thanks to this forum!
White 1985 GL - Daily driver

[Wildthings]

[thatvwbusguy]

As has already been mentioned, the 1/4" (6.3mm) terminals do get brittle over time mostly based on oxidation and heat cycling.

The factory style terminals are called "open barrel" terminals. They consist of two separate crimps for each terminal, one for the wire itself and one on the insulation for extra support and resistance from pulling off the wire.

Standard Radio Shack style non-insulated connectors can be used, but will not have the same durability that the OEM style terminals offer.

The terminals and the proper crimping tool to replace the factory style open barrel connectors can be found online. For one stop shopping on small quantities, I have ordered from www.vintageconnections.com a few times and have been very satisfied with the quality and the service they offer.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
VANAGON HEADLIGHT RELAYS & HARD START RELAYS

[DAIZEE]

I pulled a complete fuse/relay panel with harnesses from an 83. I was going to change mine but when I took my dash off I realized that the problem was the 2 round circle ground stars. I removed all grounds and all jury rigged grounds from other sites, took off the circles, cleaned them up and also the screws. Then I put them back on smothered in electric gel, then one by one I removed, cleaned and gelled all positive on panel. I used an artists paint brush to get the gel on all surfaces after I clean everything with contact cleaner and wire tooth brush.

I was amazed at how fast the connectors and posts reoxidized. I had to clean them again before I put the gel on. I have quite large plastic jars full of fuses and another one full of light bulbs. I hate running out! Been there, done that, never again.
_________________
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 97 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (for sale)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Mental Health issues affect us all. Ignorance is not bliss. It's up to each of us to educate ourselves.