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Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:39 pm

I just changed the fuel pump on my 65 and now the red light is staying on bright after I start it. I knocked the coil wire loose while changing the pump but I've put it back and have checked all other wires. Everything seems connected. The battery may have worn down a bit trying to start it. Could any of this be related or is it all a coincidence? Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:20 pm

Other symptoms? Is is idling ok? What type of fuel pump did you install? Did you check the pressure? Many of the aftermarket fuel pumps put out way too much pressure.

Mon Apr 13, 2015 6:41 pm

Check the wiring from your alt or gen to battery.

Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:46 pm

I haven't checked pressure. That makes sense. I changed the oil thinking some gas may have got into it when the old fuel pump blew. (also an aftermarket). But it didn't change the light being on. It's a constant on after I start it. No flickering. The wiring appears to be hooked up.

Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:12 pm

Red light for your year of bug should be the generator. Green light is oil pressure.....

Lots more info you need to know in the Owner's Manual you can access thru the "Technical" button at upper right of this webpage.

Tue Apr 14, 2015 6:32 pm

Eric&Barb....I think he was referring to the fuel pump pressure that I asked about in my earlier post.

Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:12 pm

Yorvo wrote:
I haven't checked pressure. That makes sense. I changed the oil thinking some gas may have got into it when the old fuel pump blew. (also an aftermarket). But it didn't change the light being on. It's a constant on after I start it. No flickering. The wiring appears to be hooked up.

Still sounds like OP is talking about the red light...

Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:18 pm

Which coil wire did you knock loose?

Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:03 am

Thanks guys. I knocked the wire from the distributer to the coil. All the wires seem to be back in place. My "How To Keep A Volkswagon Alive" book said the red light was also for oil in my year. My mechanic suggested checking the oil for the gas. I'm thinking it's the voltage regulator or the generator or the wiring to. I checked the battery and it lost a bit of charge. Thought it might have been from cranking it over from the fuel pump issues. I charged it and the light is still on. I drove it around the block a couple times and it lost charge again. The battery is new.
I picked up a multimeter last night and I'll start checking when I get some time.

Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:17 am

For clarification's sake, is the red light you're referencing to the left or to the right of your turn signal indicator in the speedometer?

Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:24 am

Take off the wire from the oil pressure sender, make sure it is not grounding out and turn on the ignition switch to "Run" position. One of the two lights will be out, that one will be the oil or should be if wired correctly.

Idiot's manual is nice but has a lot of wrong info or easy for beginner to mix up later info with info for early VW.

Get the Bentley reprint of the VW dealer workshop manual:

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-1200-Workshop-Man...hop+manual

You can find good used ones for a lot less if need be.

Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:00 am

Thanks! Yeah, I pulled the wire from the oil sensor. Yep, wrong light. I changed oil for nothing. Haha. I tested the battery under load with a multimeter. It's not taking a charge. So now it's time to go through and find the problem.

Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:50 am

See if the wire is pinched to ground somewhere. The key is that it happened suddenly after you worked on it. Go back and re-trace your steps; it's probably something you touched.
Both lights get power from the key and ground out to light up when the circuit involved is not in a running state. Oil light grounds when you have low pressure and generator light grounds when charging voltage is less than battery voltage. Might you have dislodged a generator wire?

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:28 am

It has to be something I did. Because it's a steady bright on. All of the sudden. Everything seems connected. I'll inspect the wires better.

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:31 am

Maybe post a few pictures of your engine so we can possibly spot a wire out of place?

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:34 pm

rcroane wrote: Maybe post a few pictures of your engine so we can possibly spot a wire out of place?

Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:57 am

This is what I've got.

Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:20 pm

someone is going to have fun with this one, i dont have time right now. sorry.

Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:45 pm

Other than being filthy and having a rather interesting throttle return spring setup, things seem to be generally in order. I'd start by cleaning and reconnecting all the wires on the voltage regulator, followed by checking to make sure the generator is actually working, brushes in good shape, etc.

Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:47 pm

Oh, and the metal tube for your distributor vacuum advance is installed upside down.