fuses

[Speedo]

Where can I or can I get ceramic fuses for my 67? If not what can I replace them with? Or do I have to replace the fuse block?

[jason_hamilton]

I've never been in a big parts place that didn't have them. We don't have the same stores you do down there, but from watching TV I'd guess you can look at Shucks or Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.

On a related note, does anyone know what "FLAPS" stands for? I have theories based on usage, but I'm not sure...
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Jason Hamilton
The Online Karmann Ghia Resource

[Air-Cooled Head]

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store or source.
(At least, that's the clean version )
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[vw68autobug]

You should clean the copper strips where the fuses fit into...
and by taking either end strip and bending them slightly towards each other (so they end up slightly closer) the fuses will be a tighter fit.
another trick is to rotate the fuses in their holders so that theu make a better contact, but bending them is much better.
In Our local Big W (Woolworths store) You can buy little pkts of ceramic fuses 8-16-32??amperes. white-red-purple. I prefer to use the red & purple fuses. It takes virtually nothing to blow an 8 ampere fuse..
Normal fuses in other cars of their vintage was 15-20-25 amperes..
8 amperes is ridiculously low....
If You can clean every copper terminal so they are like new, You shouldn't have any low voltage worries. All the copper gets dirty/contaminated over the years, resulting in bad contacts...
resistance in contacts etc...
Lee
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Lee - 68AutoBug - helping keep air cooled Volkswagens alive in Australia -
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[jeffdt]

Yes,

Cleaning the contacts will make a big difference. I was having several elec. problems due to corosion. I crimped new connectors on just about everything. problems vanished. Wiring seldom goes bad, the connectors are the weak link.
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JHC, Kinda Funny....Kinda Stupid....Always PUNKS

[jason_hamilton]

I agree with everything vw68autobug says, except arbitrarily replacing 8 amp fuses with 16s or higher. VW electrical systems were designed by experts with huge amounts of experience, under consultation with Bosch. If they put an 8 amp fuse in, you can bet it's because anything higher would potentially risk burning a wire if a short happens. I know it's easy, thirty five years later, to become frustrated when the electrical system doesn't work as new. You've got dirty terminals, wires that that are coming apart at the connections, previous owner's bodge jobs... The VW was an economy car, and I'm sure they didn't spend any more money on the electrical system than they had to. But you can bet they did everything for a good reason. Putting in a high amp fuse is just asking for trouble, in my opinion.
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Jason Hamilton
The Online Karmann Ghia Resource

[iamdonquixote]

don't use any other fuses rating other than originally specified for your car.
This is the sort of thing that will cause fires and burn out components. The electrical system of acvw's is not complicated. Don't be afraid to try and fix or find problems. Get a decent volt meter a radio shack and a good crimper tool. Also, one of those handy test light probes found at FLAPS are handy too. Jason has provided GHIA electrical schematics on his web site ( thanks Jason! ). Get the one for your car and study it. Glass fuses are available as well, but they require good vision to read the stamped rating on them. THey do appear to be more robust than the plastic/copper wire variety && when ever doing electr. work disconnect the battery.

Its also wise to clean the fuse holder contacts on the fuse box ( again make sure battery is disconnected ). I have found that they sometime require a little bending as well to make sure they maintain good contact with the fuse.