TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Aug 24, 2025 3:19 pm

Hi all-

Sorting through everything on the '69 Kombi I just purchased, and am puzzled by this switch next to the (non-functional) interior light switch.

It isn't an on/off switch, and there's already a horn button under the turn signal assembly.

Seems very old and Europeanish ;-)

Sun Aug 24, 2025 3:25 pm

follow the wire ?

Sun Aug 24, 2025 6:33 pm

My vote: momentary switch for electric pump conversion to the windshield washer

Sun Aug 24, 2025 7:32 pm

ooga horn :lol:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=699607271240762

Sun Aug 24, 2025 8:03 pm

my3bugs wrote: follow the wire ?

If only! It's mounted right in front of the fuse block- it's crammed in there so tightly, I can't even push the switch out after removing the bezel.

That's my next step- I need to drop the fuse block down (or remove the dash panel?) to access the wiring; this is all new to me.

I also need to look at the wiring at the fuse block to see why I have no power to the dome lights. The power lead(the only wire?) to the front light burned up above the housing, and I have a grey wire with a good ground and a black wire that does nothing in the middle dome light.

Sun Aug 24, 2025 8:06 pm

Bnanwel wrote: My vote: momentary switch for electric pump conversion to the windshield washer

It has that vibe- and if it was a dealer accessory, I'd see a technician putting a switch in that location. It'd be the least convenient place to install one for someone working at home.

There's no internal washer hardware in this bus; just the nozzles and the wiper switch with the button in the center.

Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:47 am

use a mirror and light under the dash to see the wire. Sometimes you just have to lay in weird positions to see under there. I've been upside down, bent thru the walk thru, snaked around the shifter or even pulled it out. Start with a light and mirror. Or get a small bore scope from Amazon and chase it with that. Depstech make some inexpensive ones.

Mon Aug 25, 2025 5:08 am

If you push it, you get $1,000,000 but someone you dont know will die.

Mon Aug 25, 2025 10:18 am

It's pretty obvious if it's a running car, but a starter button? In my '75 SC I have similar button installed by po/shop to run the starter motor (quick fix for faulty ignition switch). It's live wired so it runs the starter at any time it's pushed, but car only starts and run if the ignition (ignition switch) is on.

But you won't know what is if you don't check. It's not stock. Even if it doesn't have for example an electric washer pump, train horn or starter "fix" now, it could still have been installed before.

Mon Aug 25, 2025 10:30 am

I would guess aftermarket pushbutton start; easier than rejiggering the key switch.

Mon Aug 25, 2025 11:34 am

Thats the Kloppsenflauger switch.

Only use it when absolutely necessary

Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:23 pm

Bnanwel wrote: My vote: momentary switch for electric pump conversion to the windshield washer

^^This. I did the same for the powered windshield washer on our 69 bus.
Except I put the button the right of the dash.

Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:27 am

I have one of those too. Just pushed it and it gave me the winning numbers to the powerball lottery. So don't push yours as I want the whole jackpot.

Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:35 am

I have the same one, red button. I installed it myself for the electric windscreenwasher pump, so my bet is on that too.
funny, when I was at the garage, the mechanic stepped in the bus and immediately pressed it. I asked him 'do you know what it is for ?' He said 'no'.
Me : "soo...why did you push it ???'
He said : 'not a VW thing so must do something special, made me curious'
What if the armed ejection seat went off when doing such a thing?!?!?!