74 Beetle Blinkers, cautions work - tail lights do not

[leszer]

The previous owner of my bug mangled the electric and I'm trying to sort it out.

Most of my lights work except my parking/tail lights and my reverse lights. I was wondering if someone could explain the wiring behind them?

I tried to figure it out from the wiring diagrams but I'm just not grasping it.

I mean I am completely clueless and the wiring is torched or I'd take pictures. There is no wire going to the light switch. Everything I've seen says the tail lights/parking lights go in connector 58 but where does it go on the fuse panel?

I have several wires connected at fuse 1/2 where it looks like the wiring diagrams say the parking/tail lights are but no power to those fuses, figured it would get this from the light switch power?

Any help appreciated.

[Her74buggy]

Did you check the inline fuse in your engine bay for the reverse lights?

[leszer]

No, wasn't aware of one. Where is that located? I ask that but I'm also going to google right now.

[ashman40]

Speedy Jim's site has many useful diagrams. Here is his diagram for tail lights:

At the fuse box, find the single grey wire that runs from the fuse box to the headlight switch #58 terminal. Use this '72 wiring diagram. It is easier for most to understand:

Notice how the grey wire connects to either fuse #1 or #2 but the black "bridge" connects that input side together. This allows the wire from the headlight switch to power BOTH fuses. This is a key point. If you connect this headlight switch wire to the wrong side the current will not flow through the fuses correctly.
On the opposite side of the #1 & #2 fuses you will find many grey and grey-striped wires. The grey/black and grey/red wires run to the rear of the car. Grey/red is to the right side. Grey/black is to the left.

Test the single grey wire from the headlight switch while the headlight switch is in the 1st position (parking lights). You should get a voltage reading. If so, test the opposite side of the fuses and make sure you are getting the same reading.
Work your way to the rear of the car and make sure you have voltage readings at each junction along the way. The junctions at the rear are tucked behind the tar paper on either side of the engine compartment.
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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!}