Help! Aux 12V Plug

[Love My Westy]

OK, I've been trying to remove my carpet in my '86 Weekender (Basic Camper), but on the passenger side, I can't figure out how to remove the Aux 12 V plug. I have taken out the screws on the faceplate, and even tried disassembling it from the rear. What's the secret?

I would actually like to add a second plug when I put the carpet back in after I do my soundproofing and have the carpet cleaned.

[PDXWesty]

This does not sound like a stock item. Any pictures?

The PO may have used silicone sealant when it was installed which may be holding it in. I would use pressure to pry it out if all the screws are undone.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[PDXWesty]

Looks like a spring clip or wire holding it in on the back side?

_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Love My Westy]

It definitely original equipment. It's the outlet that powered the original 12 V Dometic Fridge that fastened to the floor behind the passenger seat. It runs off the 2nd battery that is under the drivers seat.

[thatvwbusguy]

On sockets of this type, the entire rear sleeve should unscrew from the front. Think of the front part of the socket as a bolt and the rear part as a nut.

Look into the front of the socket and you might see a couple indentations where you can insert a tool to keep the socket from spinning while you turn the rear sleeve. Careful use of water pump pliers on the sleeve inside the seat pedestal should work well to get things started.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[delta9007]

Hey, so that's where my sharpie went!
_________________
'89 2wd, 4spd, 2.1 Westfalia.

[ragnarhairybreeks]

[Love My Westy]

I did find my Sharpie by looking at the photo.

I went back out and tried to loosen the wire clip with a pair of needlenose pliers. While doing so I discovered the brass sleeve would unscrew. Then I could see the wire clip better.

I used a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the prongs on the wire clip and was able to wiggle it off. The whole thing came apart and this is what I found:

To my surprise, the wire clip turned out to be a curtain hanger ring that the Westfalia Factory had used as a spacer because the brass sleeve that screws on doesn't pull the assembly tight on the thin sheet metal. It was probably a part they used to hang curtains in some other camper they were making. I doubt there is a VW part number.

This had to be done at the factory as I am the original owner and I have never had the outlet out before. The only previous owner was VW.

[thatvwbusguy]

Since you are redoing the carpeting and the original indentation won't show, you might consider replacing the stock power point with something like the Blue Sea Systems 1011 12V socket http://bluesea.com/products/1011. This will eliminate the need for any sort of spacer and will offer a better quality, more secure connection than the 26 year old original part. You can get the Blue Sea socket for $6.99 with free shipping at www.gandermountain.com.
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.