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Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:11 pm

Recently, I bought a 65 VW bug that is a positive ground 6v system. Has anyone seen this on a VW? The seller stated the bug had been positive ground since he bought it in 2001. I want to change this around to a negative ground 6v system. Where should I start? Also, I am in Temecula, CA if anyone is in the area or if you know of any local clubs let me know.

Jeff

Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:35 pm

I've never heard of a VW being a positive ground vehicle. Odd. I think you have some serious issues to work out.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:40 pm

83_WabbitGTI wrote: I've never heard of a VW being a positive ground vehicle. Odd. I think you have some serious issues to work out.

If it is somehow a positive ground 6v system thats very odd. Isn't that what the old minis used to come with? Personally i'd suggest just switching over to 12v. I'm personally going to rip every wire out of my 59 and buy a brand new harness and start from scratch. 50 year old wiring is bad, 50 year old wiring that has had neanderthals screwing with it is enough to cause murder sprees.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:36 pm

Yeeaars ago when we replaced a generator, The generator terminal had to be grounded to set up the the correct positive/negative output. Perhaps someone replaced the generator and got it wrong. I don't remember the procedure for reversing the polarity, but it was very simple. Like momentarily touching a screw driver to the ground from the output terminal with nothing else connected. Don't try this without further confirmation. However, a VW should not be setup as positive ground. Unlike my '64 MGB.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:53 pm

You should change back to neg ground and polarize the gen. Do a search on how to polarize gen.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:04 pm

My junk is positive ground......not that odd, just OG :wink:

Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:07 pm

kellydogg wrote: My junk is positive ground......not that odd, just OG :wink:

I tend to keep electricity away from my junk. Just sayin'...

Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:32 pm

Old American cars were pos ground, but not VW's.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:53 pm

65VWTEMECULA wrote: Also, I am in Temecula, CA if anyone is in the area or if you know of any local clubs let me know.

Hey Jeff,
This club is local to the Temecula area. They have gatherings @ the EZ Take Out Burger located at 39760 Winchester Rd on the 4th Sunday of every month
http://www.herrkooled.com/

Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:32 pm

65VWTEMECULA wrote: I want to change this around to a negative ground 6v system. Where should I start? Jeff

Here is how they do it on the Land Rover forums I frequent. Mine however, is negative earth from the factory so I can only sit back and drink the beer while others do the work.

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/t-technical-info-tips-ground-conversion.aspx

Jeff

Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:41 pm

My best friend has a 60 that somehow became positive. Everything worked but the Radio wouldn't work. Drove us crazy wouldn't work in the car but would if we hooked it up to the battery. I can still remember he was so frustrated he chased me and his brother around the garage. LOL :lol:

Geoff

Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:50 am

Just switch the cables on the battery. Be sure to polarize gen at the same time. It is really no big deal.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:27 am

No Bugg's are Positive Ground .
Polarizeing the Gen isnt gonna fix it .
Has Badd Short .
Murder Spree's over V.W. wireing arent warranted .
Yeeesssssshhhh try something really hard like a Car that quits because it has an anti knock sensor ?
You need a Bugg Mech to get you the basic's wireing function's, then go from there .
Auto Craft is down there in Riverside .
Sean

Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:27 pm

I was thinking of checking for shorts to ground. Then I was thinking about replacing the starter, VR and re-polarizing the generator. How does this sound to everyone.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:31 pm

vwsteve wrote: Just switch the cables on the battery. Be sure to polarize gen at the same time. It is really no big deal.

That is really all you need to do.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:55 pm

Back in the late 60's my dad bought a nice new MG B GT and it had a Positive Ground electrical system. Unless your car was shipped to Great Britain then chances are someone screwed that up along the way.