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Wed May 10, 2006 12:07 am

Does anyone have any information/pictures for the military style headlight switch? A source, part number or wiring diagram?

Wed May 10, 2006 4:43 am

Here is a link to wiring diagrams for the military switch; just select your year from the "type 181" section.

http://www.vintagebus.com/wiring/index.html

As to pictures, yes I have one, but it's on my PC so I cannot post it here without a URL (which I don't have). If you PMAIL me with an email address, I can send you that. As to operation, it works like this: there is a small round button in the center of the switch that you can press with a nail, or pen/pencil. While this center button is being pressed, you will be able to slide the square stop (located at the back of the main switch) to the left or right. Sliding this square "slider" to the left/right is how the switch activates either the military running lights or the "normal" driving lights. This square slider is what lets the main part of the switch operate the contacts on the left or right side of the switch.

Hope this helps.

Wed May 10, 2006 6:16 pm

Bucko,

Thank you. That information was just what I needed. The wiring diagram helps too. I was looking for a way to turn on the normal headlights and a set of flood light with out a toggle switch on the dash.

Now comes the challenge of finding one. Time to call the relatives in Germany I guess.

Wed May 10, 2006 7:46 pm

I am in L.A. and have one. Let me know if your interested.

Thu May 11, 2006 12:02 am

Here is a picture :

Regards
Pierre-J MACUA
www.181spirit.com

Thu May 11, 2006 4:42 am

That's the picture I had as well (thanks for posting pjmacua).

Now folks can see the the round center button, and the square block (pointed to by the arrows) that allow the switch to operate the left or right side settings.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:07 pm

Greetings to all!

I have the wiring diagram but does anyone have a chart that says:

When the front switch is on :

0 = Headlights and Park Lights
S1 = Just Parking Lights

1 = ?
2 =?

I have a 1971 Military THING with the military light switch shown above and I have the (2) Blackout lights in the Front and (3) Blackouts in the back.

I was able to turn the switch and have the (2) Front Blackouts lights turn on but nothing on the blackout lights in the rear. I have confirmed the blackout lights to be working since I provided direct 12V power and they do light up. I continue my troubleshooting but just curious if someone had this already. If nothing else....I will double wire the blackout lights to the headlight and running lights and to the switch position that I found that works on the switch......just for the kewl factor and be able to turn them on with nothing else.

Let me know
Thanks
Chris

Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:17 pm

pjmacua wrote: Here is a picture :

Regards
Pierre-J MACUA
www.181spirit.com

Cool.

Must own one.

What does the rest of that sticker say? Something about "Don't turn the headlights and the heater on at the same time, or we'll all die!"?

Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:26 pm

Fun 181 wrote: What does the rest of that sticker say? Something about "Don't turn the headlights and the heater on at the same time, or we'll all die!"?

Hello

It is often called the heater sticker :
- beim tanken heizung abstellen
- swich off heater before filling up
- avant le plein, arrêter le chauffage

beccom wrote: does anyone have a chart that says...
Tag, 1 and 2 : driving lights
0, S1, S2 and S3 : black out lights

Regards
Pierre-J M.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:46 pm

pjmacua wrote: It is often called the heater sticker :
- beim tanken heizung abstellen
- swich off heater before filling up
- avant le plein, arrêter le chauffage

Thanks Pierre, I know. I was just trying to be funny.

Anyhow, I think that military switch will complement the new TOW missile launcher that I just installed. I have it aimed facing backwards... for tailgaters, obviously.

Humor... it's subjective. :lol:

Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:09 am

beccom wrote: does anyone have a chart that says...
Tag, 1 and 2 : driving lights
0, S1, S2 and S3 : black out lights

Regards
Pierre-J M.[/quote]

Thanks for the response for the information. I just would like clarification:

Tag is basically off
1 and 2 are yes the driving lights. (1) is the blinkers and (2) are the blinkers with the Headlights.

Now...

0 again is basically off
S1 ...... I Dont know what this one is suppose to do

S2........ Turns on the Blackout lights in the FRONT

S3.........Turns on ALL the Blackout lights....FRONT and BACK. (I have 3 in the back but only 2 of them turn on) The one that is on the Engine Lid is connected to 54S on the switch shown on this diagram link below but does not turn on. I think its suppose to turn on when the switch is in the 1 or 2 position on the switch.....but that is what I want to make sure.

http://www.vintagebus.com/wiring/181_M_63_from_August_1969-1.jpg

My 2 Question are:

...does anyone know what S1 is suppose to do?

......The Rear Blackout light on the Engine Lid.......when is that light suppose to turn on.....when I click it to position 1 or 2 or when I switch it to S3?

Thanks to everyone in advance for their assistance.

Chris

Sat Feb 20, 2010 2:55 pm

digging into my depot , i have found some nos , german parts for the thing , one of them was a NOS , perfect condition blackout switch ....anybody knows the real value of one of these ?? i have also found some windshield latches , still in their german og box ....

pm me if anybody is interested , please

Ricardo

Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:18 pm

[quote="beccom"] beccom wrote:

......The Rear Blackout light on the Engine Lid.......when is that light suppose to turn on.....when I click it to position 1 or 2 or when I switch it to S3?

Thanks to everyone in advance for their assistance.

Chris

I really do not know, but I would venture to say that would be your blackout brake light.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 5:35 am

As far as I'm aware it is...

S1 = blackout braking light (is the middle blackout light in the rear)
S2 = front blackout lights
S3 = all blackout lights: 2x front, 2x rear and braking light

Hope this helps?

Nijyboy 1969 military VW181

Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:07 am

pjmacua wrote: Here is a picture :

Regards
Pierre-J MACUA
www.181spirit.com

I want to buy the switch.
Please send price in US Dollars
and address.
Thank you,
Bob Manor

Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:16 am

Al Capulco wrote: I am in L.A. and have one. Let me know if your interested.

How much and where do I send the $?

Bob Manor

Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:23 pm

S1 is the back blackout braking light, fitted on the engine lid.

Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:29 pm

take the buying and selling to PMs please.

Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:54 am

Fun 181 wrote: pjmacua wrote: It is often called the heater sticker :
- beim tanken heizung abstellen
- swich off heater before filling up
- avant le plein, arrêter le chauffage

Thanks Pierre, I know. I was just trying to be funny.

Anyhow, I think that military switch will complement the new TOW missile launcher that I just installed. I have it aimed facing backwards... for tailgaters, obviously.

Humor... it's subjective. :lol:

Let me know if you need an inertial guidance and wire fine tuning unit for your tow, I am pretty sure I have a spare in the garage, or in the lab...

Thu Sep 02, 2021 9:20 pm

I know this post is old but I’m looking for pictures or guidance on how to
Actually run wires to the fuse box. Also, what kind of wires were used?

Thanks!