Reverse light switch - long and short - PIA.

[denver_74]

Reverse lights went out on the '74. Unpluged the lights at the switch located at the nose cone, ran a jumper between the leads and yay I have backup lights.

10 years ago when I inherited the car the back up lights didn't work and assuming it was the switch I ordered a new switch only to find out that the switch was simply unhooked. Not only that but I guess at some point I had ordered ANOTHER switch for the same issue from a different source.

So, I had two new switches in my parts box! I thought I was good to go. How very wrong I was.

With new switch in hand, I grabbed my 22mm socket got under neither and removed the old switch.

Thats when everything went south, I don't know if I thought the trans oil was so thick that I would simply slide the new switch up and in without and issue or what but out comes the oil!

I stick my finger up into the hole to stop the flow and grabbed the new switch and WTH!?? my new switch is longer than the old than the old switch??! it's different. BOTH new switches are longer than the original.

I let the trans drain and started searching on line and sure enough there are two different switches available but the longer version seems to be more common? WTH

I plugged the hole with old switch.

My question is will the longer switch work?? And does anyone have good way to install these lil SOB's?? It was struggle just to get the original back up in there!! Reached my hand arm up and around the nose cone and held it there by my finger tips and finally was able to get to to thread.

Dumb me for not comparing parts before removal or installation. D74
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1974 Standard Beetle Sunbug

[Cusser]

[denver_74]

[denver_74]

here are the two types of switches I am seeing. I have 2 of the longer style switches.

short:

long:

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1974 Standard Beetle Sunbug

[Cusser]

I've only seen these

Like from JBugs https://www.jbugs.com/search.html?q=reverse+switch

It's a tight fit anyway, wonder what the longer switches are really for - have you a part number on those? Short ones look like 211945521
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[OTTO 1303]

Your first photo and the photo posted by CUSSER are the switch you want.

Although the long switch may be electrically the same and have the same threads, you will find that it is indeed physically too long to fit in the required space. And, if you do get it to fit, your wires stand a good chance of chafing against the frame - not good.

Yes, installing the original sized switch can be troublesome.

Based on photos, and personal experience, looks like IAP 211941521 or 211945521 is the closest in physical dimensions to the OG.
The other photo you posted is what is shown as replacements under other manufacturer branding, and probably located or offered by local parts houses.

The one I received (IAP 211941521) didn't have the center insulator tab as shown in photo, but that was OK, since I applied heat shrink to the wire connectors.

Changed mine last year and no problems since.
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74 Super Sun Bug - OTTO
74 Super - DANZIG
74 Super - HERZOG

[baldessariclan]

Would recommend you consider locating and purchasing a "German" and/or NOS reverse light switch, vs. no-name aftermarket offerings -- similar to recent experiences and recommendations folks have had with brake light switches. Unless you're a fan of playing the "el crappo" aftermarket parts roulette game, that is...
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[Dark Earth]

I bought this from Wolfsburg West ...

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211941521

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=N138161

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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[denver_74]

for better or for worse, I pulled a good switch from the original trans.

the original transmission had 42,000 on it and the switch checked out.

installation wasn't any easier.

in fact, I had to have the misses get her dainty arms and fingers up in there to spin it into place.

I have a new switch on order.

I know I know I should have waited but there are only a few months of summer in my world and I have only so much time in life to tinker with the VW. I did use a brand new crush ring
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1974 Standard Beetle Sunbug