Turn Signal

Newbie001 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: Turn Signal

Hi everybody,
I am restoring a 1968 VW Beetle and am currently working on the electrical system. I am making good progress but am having trouble with the left front turn signal. I have the two filament type bulb, but the parking and turn signal use the same filament, though it works fine on the right. Not sure if it can be related, but have not gotten the wipers to work quite yet, can't figure out the back up lights, can't find the fuse in the engine compartment. So far I have the emergency lights to work (same filament as parking light on left front), the low beam and high beam and turn signals (same filament as parking light on left front). I have been using the Bentley diagram, but am stuck. Hope it makes sense and that someone can help. Thank you.

kreemoweet · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:45 pm Post subject:

Try a new bulb. Maybe one of the filiments became detached and
welded itself to the other one.
_________________
'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

glutamodo · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:59 pm Post subject:

The emergency lights use the same filament as the turn signals - the parking lights are an entirely different circuit - the only thing in common is the ground.

Is this early 68, with the 9-terminal flasher relay, which is the Bentley diagram - or the late 68, with the 4 (or less) terminals on the flasher relay, and of which an official diagram does not exist (however I drew one up by combining elements of the 1968 and 70 diagrams and it's in TheSamba Technical section... link to diagram )

Newbie001 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:18 pm Post subject:

Not sure what I have, here are pictures of my "emergency lights switch" and Flasher relay. Tried to replace the light bulb, no luck. Thank you for your help.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

glutamodo · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:44 pm Post subject:

Okay that is a LATE 68, which is that other diagram I linked to above. It uses a more complicated e-flasher switch and a simple flasher relay. That diagram... the wire pathways should all be correct, but it's possible that one or two of the wire colors may not match what you have... Also, it shows the original 4-terminal grounded relay. I prefer to use VW style grounded relays... but you often see cheap-ass ungrounded 2-terminal non-VW relays used. (it works but I don't care for them)

Newbie001 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:51 pm Post subject:

Hi Glutamodo,
I double checked my wiring using your diagram, colors are different but wiring is similar. Though I don't have a #31 to ground on mine!? On the right side turn signa, smaller filament is being activated by turn signal and emergency flashers, bigger one is activated by light switch. On the right sied turn signal, big filament is being activated by turn signal, emergency flasher and light switch, the small filament never operates!? Thanks again for your time and help.

Newbie001 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:52 pm Post subject:

Oh and by the way, the emergency flasher switch light bulb does not flash when switch is on, will double check the light bulb.

TexasAirCooler · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Turn Signal

glutamodo · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:57 pm Post subject:

His book won't even have a valid wiring diagram... VW never issued one for the mid 68-69 models.

Newbie001 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:46 pm Post subject:

I'm out of idea guys, somehow can't get the small filament on the left front turn signal to come on, big filament illuminates for turn signal and parking light! Any body has an idea?

glutamodo · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:50 pm Post subject:

That is a classic symptom of a bad ground - you need to be SURE the bulbholder had got a rock-solid connection to the body ground!

ashman40 · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:01 am Post subject: Re: Turn Signal

Newbie001 · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:18 am Post subject:

Ashman,
Will start working on it after the dog walk. The light bulb is a two connector, as well as socket. Wires go to fuse box. The flasher relay is the rounded one, right? Sorry, Newbie says it all. If it is the relay, should I replace it with this one?

http://chircoestore.com/turn-indicator-relay-12volt-4-terminal-vw-bug-beetle-68-70.html

Thank you so much for your help.

Newbie001 · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 1:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Ashman,

Relay has two connectors and is grounded through the bracket.

Connector "X" is connected to "+" prawn on E Flasher switch

Connector "L" has three wires connected to it. One from "49a" on E Flasher switch, one from Turn Signal assembly and one goes to the Blinker indicator on speedo.

Tried to disconnect speedo indicator, no change.

Prawns being use on E Flasher switch are "30" to fuse box and door light switches, "15" to fuse box and speedo (little "box" screwed on upper side of speedo), "X" to Flasher relay, "49a" to Flasher relay, "L" and "R" to Turn Signal assembly on steering wheel.

Newbie001 · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 1:20 pm Post subject:

Not sure if that indicates anything, but when Lights are off, E Flashers on, all blink in unison. When Lights on, E Flashers on, all lights blink in unison, except left front, blinks opposite to all others.

ashman40 · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 2:45 pm Post subject:

The "X" and "L" labels on your flasher relay say it all... it is NOT a proper relay for use on European cars.

The flasher relay you linked above will work, but you can also use this one:
http://chircoestore.com/turn-indicator-relay-12volt-3-terminal-vw-bug-beetle-71-79.html

Also, check at your FLAPS (local auto parts store) and see if they have one of these:

All of the above are aftermarket European-style flasher relays that should work.

Your front left turn signal assembly still sounds like it has a problem.
First, check that the light assembly has a good ground. I'm not sure if your style lights had a dedicated ground wire or whether they grounded through the mounting hole. Either way, makes sure there is a good ground.

Second, check the bulb. The dual filament bulb should only go into the socket one way. The bayonet prongs are offset for this reason, but I have seen old sockets that are worn out and the bulb can be inserted the wrong way.

Next, find the junction for the light assembly. It should be in the trunk area near the spare tire, just after the wires come in from under the fender. Disconnect the wires here and test both the wires and the lights. Using a jumper wire, give power to each the of wires going to the light assembly so you know which one is for which filament. The dim filament is the parking light. The bright one is the turn signals.

Also test the wires coming from the dash area. The grey one should be for the parking lights and comes from the fuse box.
The black/white wire is for the left turn signal. Unlike the grey wire, this one does not run to the fuse box. It should go to a 4-way junction where other wires of the same color come together. At this junction, one wire should come from the turn signal switch. One from the E-flasher switch. One from the front turn signal assembly. One from the rear turn signal assembly. There should be another 4-way junction for all the black/green wires that support the right-side lights.
_________________
AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road Sad

}
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up		Share:
		Print View

	Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1