Headlight problems... grounding?

delliott101 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: Headlight problems... grounding?

Problem with the headlights...

low beams are very dim. When I turn on the high beams, left side (driver side) is fine... nice and bright... right side switches off.

I tried new headlights... no change. They worked fine before I painted my Bug, so maybe the ground wires are not grounding too well anymore (covered with paint)

So... where ARE the headlight ground wires? I assume they are the wires screwed into either side of the spare tire compartment, but I want to make sure...
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Transplanted Jersey Boy living in Idaho by way of Northern California!

We don't own old VWs, we just take care of them for the next driver

vwpackrat · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

yes thats the one............usually come through a hole inside the fender well and luggage compartment and screwed to the wall.
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62 Convertible Bug
67 Westfalia

vwpackrat · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

Also check and wiggle your fuses. These things notorious for not getting good contact and stuff cutting off. Take some sandpaper and get ends of fuses nice and shiny and also the holes in the fuse panel the fuses click into ecspecially if you just painted and got any paint on them.
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62 Convertible Bug
67 Westfalia

delliott101 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

Cool... I cleaned the grounds (wire wheel) and the high beams on both sides work great... low beam on passenger side works great but the low beam does not work on drivers side... tried a new bulb again... no difference
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Transplanted Jersey Boy living in Idaho by way of Northern California!

We don't own old VWs, we just take care of them for the next driver

ladybug89 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

i had the same problem after i got my 58 back from paint...but my fuse was bad. so maybe give that a shot
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1958 bug - 1958 baja - 1962 vert - 2000 Golf

Jgowin · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

x2 on that, alot of times my low beams do the same thing. Take and twist your fuses, you may need to sand the prongs on your fuses or replace them.

delliott101 · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject:

I've done all that, but maybe not well enough... I will tackle that tomorrow...
_________________
Transplanted Jersey Boy living in Idaho by way of Northern California!

We don't own old VWs, we just take care of them for the next driver

vwpackrat · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:33 am Post subject:

Trace back the two wires from your left headlight (should be 1 white and 1 yellow) back to fuse panel. This is your low and high beam for that light. Concentrate on the checking fuses, cleaning, cleaning prong contacts, etc. and you should fix the problem.
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62 Convertible Bug
67 Westfalia

delliott101 · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:02 am Post subject:

I still have to clean the fuse connections and whatnot... but...

I just drove to the store and when the headlights are on, the turnsignals don't work. Steady on when I activate them. Headlights off, they work fine
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Transplanted Jersey Boy living in Idaho by way of Northern California!

We don't own old VWs, we just take care of them for the next driver

muffler bearing · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:34 am Post subject:

I have a similar problem but with my tail lights the running lights are bright but the stop lights are VERY dim. Do you think changing the ground straps at the trans would help? I have done all of the fuse and ground cleaning. Hope you don't mind it I tag along.
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" A poor ride is better than a proud walk"
56 Beetle
72 Westfalia (Driving project)
75 Riviera
Yes, I do have a Bentley.

HerrrKafer · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

Your low beams wouldn't be fused if the wiring is pretty stock, but definitely clean all the connections -- especially the connection on T1 going to the dim low beam (if one low beam is OK, the problem is NOT a drop before the "T"). You're running 12V IIRC?

delliott101 · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:01 am Post subject:

Fixed the headlight (loose wire) but still having the turnsignal problem... will get to that next

Thanks!
_________________
Transplanted Jersey Boy living in Idaho by way of Northern California!

We don't own old VWs, we just take care of them for the next driver

jroymcd · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:29 pm Post subject:

Having a simular problem,

All might lights work but everything is dim. Battery not get charged with the lights on. Bad ground?

where do I start?

andk5591 · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:53 am Post subject:

I am in the middle of going through our "new" 61. Lots of hacked splices, fuse box had overspray, connections were marginal, pigtails on headlights were not in the greatest of shape.

I documented the fuse box connections throroughly and pulled it. Got a couple small steel wire brushes for my dremel, wire and headlight connectors at NAPA and cleaned all the fuse box connections particularly where the fuses touch. Put it back in and used the dremel to clean the spade lugs. Replaced the pig tails at the headlight, remade the harness to the one headlight (not hard - some 14 and 16 guage hook up wire and wire loom ). Also, pulled the wires off the switch and cleaned them up. Replaced spades where needed.

All lights work very well now. (Took a short day to do this) Doing the horn and wiper circuit today - since I am converting to 2 speed and electric washer, I'll probably spent about a day on it.

I'll be moving to the taillights and engine in a couple days and will do the same thing.

Here's the thing, you can tackle specific areas as you have problems or just do it all at one time, this way you are done. Its an old car and has been hacked for many years. All of the connections are corroded and oxidized. Do it right and do it once.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

Roamingwesty · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:53 am Post subject:


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