1980 Gas Caddy wiring issues

[Bhenry2192]

Hi there forum. I hope there is someone that can give me some guidance.

Back Story -

I bought a 1980 Caddy because I have always wanted one. I have had numerous VWs but the Caddy is too cool. The old man I bought from had owned in for 22 years but, at 85 years old, had not had it on the road in 3 years. He said his "body" guy said that $300 would have it looking perfect again. UH HUH!!! It needs pans and a few other little areas. Needless to say, I am already way higher than $300. It cranked but would not start. Turns out the gas was bad, the fuel pump was bad and the fuel filter was bad. All have been replaced. It runs ok but my mechanic thinks, in order to be a reliable driver, I should replace the distributor......

So, back to my question. I am trying to wire the tail lights. I have only the passenger tail light working. I took the working bulb and put into every socket (driver and passenger side) and nothing lights up anywhere else. I stripped the passenger side wires, made a new ground, hooked it back up....and....nope, just the tail light works again.

Question 1 - I can't "follow" the wires to see where they go. Where do they start?

#2 - Are there new "pigtails" that can be purchased or a work around?
#3 - I actually bought NOS light sockets but only my tail light has a 3 circuit, and these are 3 circuit but my other sockets are 2 circuit. How, if possible, can I make this work.

#4 - Where is the "cab to tail light" harness located?

I have hundreds of questions but will start with these. Thank you for reading and answering, if you can add value!!

Brian

[Butcher]

I would purchase a good repair manual before you get too much more into it. But until that happens, try this.
http://chris.chemidl.in/vw-wiring-diagram-pdf-1982-1983-1984/

[Bhenry2192]

Thank you!

First, I do have a repair manual, and yes, it does provide wiring diagrams. Unfortunately, they might as well be written in Chinese.

I was hoping for a little more practical approach to figuring out where things start, finish and how it all should work.

[ps2375]

[Bhenry2192]

Thank you. I have a Bentley. I guess I need to attempt to make sense of them
again. I will look at the fuse box too. Of all the things I can do, wiring is my least favorite to try.

[ps2375]

If you look at the diagram, the top is power and the line along the bottom is ground. The lines are labeled for their source of power and the verticals are color coded with loads and such on them. A lot of the time, the fuse panel will be indicated at the upper part of diagram.

[Butcher]

Many people have issues with electrical systems but spending time understanding how the diagram works will get you where you are going. It's no harder than a road map.

As for sockets, go to your local parts store and you will you will find the electrical section, typically you will find something that works. The USA pickups sourced many of the parts locally [ie, US suppliers].

My pickup is gutted [no dash, carpet, headliner, etc]. PM me your phone/email address and I will send you some pictures.

[G60ING]

Yes, learn to understand the wiring schematics. The numbers across the bottom are current track numbers. When a wire ends in a box with a number that means that it jumps to another page with that current track number.