TheSamba.com :: View topic - steering column wiring, turn singal, wiper switch, etc

Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:53 pm

I am hoping someone has done something about this before. First of all, '73 super beetle, new turn signal switch, but not new wiper switch. If you see the pictures, you can see that I need a new wiper switch.

My problem is that the "plugs" left on the wiring harness that hook into the male plugs at the base of the steering column for the wiper switch, turn signal switch, etc have worn out. The female plugs no longer hold onto the male wires from those switches, and fall out while driving. I have used the "zip-tie" method, but now its gotten to the point to where it is not reliable.

My thoughts

#1 cut the plugs off the harness, and put spade terminals on every wire for all the switches on the column.

#2 do the same, but solder and heat shrink all the wires

#3 try to find some new plug and modify it to make it work.

what are your thoughts?

As you can see in photo one, the wires on the plug for the wiper switch have come loose, and you can see in photo 2 that I have moved them. I know that I should get a new one, its on the to do list once I figure out how to make the plugs work

You can see in the next picture that I plugged in the turn signal switch, and it is already falling out

and here is the good 'ol "zip-tie" trick, which no longer works

Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:23 pm

Put the plugs in place and put some hot glue on it. It'll hold and if you ever need to part them an exacto knife will cut the glue apart.

Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:33 pm

There must be a million of those plugs around. Seems alot of headache vs just replacing them. Check the classifeds or put a wanted ad

Not sure what year these are but check them out. Ignition and washer plugs so you'll still need the wiper plug

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1172111

Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:48 pm

I put a pair of brand new German SWF switches in mine a while back and found the same thing, the pins were a loose fit.

I got a little watch makes blade screw driver in there and bent the rolled parts of the connectors over abit more which fixed the problem.

If you get some second hand loom and plugs you will have to get 73 onwards curved windscreen super ones.

Flat windscreen beetle ones like in the link above aren't going to work without lenghtening the wires as the fusebox being down under the fuel tank they don't reach.

Definately need a new wiper switch, the housing that holds the wires has fallen apart and if the wires short out on the metal housing you'll get all sorts of problems

Sat Aug 20, 2011 3:15 pm

I bought some used plugs that had been clipped so still had wire attached,clipped the old plugs off. Soldered them on, covered with shrink wrap. Bang,done in 60 mins

Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:31 am

Bringing this back from the dead but oh well. My 73 super's PO put in a switch for the wipers in the dash. I know nothing about these cars but learning a lot in a short time. What kind of switch can i use to put it back on the collumn??? I plan to put an elec washer kitin anyway, so i would LOVE to put it all back on the collumn. Any newer ones that will fit? Any new OE with elec washer feature? I would love to have it all on the collumn....anybody...?

Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:10 pm

Revive dead post...

So I have been searching for the female connectors for the steering column switches to no avail.

Haven't even found a part # for them.

Anyone?

Wed Jan 26, 2022 12:13 am

The turn and wiper switches take a connector that is .187 wide and the ignition switch takes a connector that is .250 or 1/4" wide. Both need a locking tab to work. You can get the correct connectors at Digi-Key. You will also need the proper wire connector crimper and tool to remove the connectors from the block.

Part # for the turn and wiper switch should be 63833-1

Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:42 pm

Tx for the reply Al but unfortunately not what I'm looking for.
In the 4th pic up top. The female connectors that are zip tied together. Those 2 are the ones I'm looking for.

Mon Jan 31, 2022 6:52 pm

You may not have to cut anything at all.

The connector contacts have clearly lost their tension, an since the plastic connector housing itself doesn't have a locking mechanism, they are providing very poor contact and grasp.

Almost ALL of the connections of this type, throughout the entire vehicle, experience fatigue and lose tension.

Have you considered close examination of the connectors to see how the pins are released from the harness connector?
If you have the skill and patience, you may be able to remove each contact from the plastic connector housing, clean, retension, and reinsert into plastic connector.

This approach, done 1 pin at a time, may save you a whole lotta headache.

Good Luck

Mon Jan 31, 2022 6:53 pm

You may not have to cut anything at all.

The connector contacts have clearly lost their tension, an since the plastic connector housing itself doesn't have a locking mechanism, they are providing very poor contact and grasp.

Almost ALL of the connections of this type, throughout the entire vehicle, experience fatigue and lose tension.

Have you considered close examination of the connectors to see how the pins are released from the harness connector?
If you have the skill and patience, you may be able to remove each contact from the plastic connector housing, clean, retension, and reinsert into plastic connector.

This approach, done 1 pin at a time, may save you a whole lotta headache.

Good Luck