Wiring instructions?

[Paul Jr]

Anyone have good instructions for installing a wire harness in a 72 beetle?

Problem is I have two harness kits but don’t know who made them and since they came free with other parts there was no instructions included.

I have been looking and some have said instructions from some are better than others, so I would guess the best would be simpler instructions with more pictures and breakdowns so I can start to try and figure it out.

Any help is appreciated

[Michael Ambrozik]

Don't need instructions, follow the wiring diagram found in the technical section here or found in the Bentley manual.

[ashman40]

If you have run a Beetle wiring harness before and are just worried about the specific circuits in your model year... just download the wiring diagram for your year from the Technical section of this site; have it blown up and laminated so you can mount it to your shop wall. If you can follow the diagram you will be fine.
Some folks find the '72-older wiring diagrams easier to follow than the '73-later ones. Since your Beetle is a '72 you are good. But from my pov, the '73-later wiring diagrams are better for troubleshooting. They actually show you how the switches work. The '72 earlier diagrams only show you how to connect the wires to the numbered terminals. For example, they don't show you that the '72 headlight switch has two completely separate circuits running thru the switch. On the '73-later diagram you can see that the red (30) wire to the headlight switch powers the parking lights while the black/yellow (X) wire powers the headlights.


If you have never installed a Beetle wiring harness, I would suggest you buy the Bug Me Video Vol9 which covers Wiring Harness install. There are many tips and tricks details that are not in any other guide I have seen.
You might also consider Vol10 which covers Electrical Troubleshooting. No harness goes in and works 100% the 1st time.

You don't have to buy the video. You can rent it or sometimes you can borrow it from your local city Library. But for this video, you want to watch it at least twice all the way thru and it really helps when you are in the middle of the install to jump to the section you are working on.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[KTPhil]

He may be asking more about the logistics:
- over the roof or along the rocker?
- start feeding from the frunk, the B-pillar, or the engine bay?
- to lube or not lube?

A couple of questions for the poster:
- do you know if either or both harnesses are correct for your year?
- is the original wiring in place (and thus can be used to pull the new wires through tough spots)?
- do you have any plans for accessory gauges later?
- generator or alternator on engine?

[viiking]

Re the wiring diagram, I took a file down to my local printing place and got them to print an A0 size laminated colour print. It's the best money I have ever spent.

The size of an A0 print is about 33" x 47" (841mm x 1188mm). No need to squint.

Stick it up on the wall or ceiling somewhere and you have the best reference to rewire your car that you ever have had.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[KTPhil]

[Paul Jr]

[KTPhil]

So while you re pulling wires, pull three more along with the harness to use with future gauges or accessories (like a backup camera, etc).

Also, keep your old harness. The wires themselves are typically not the problem as it ages, so having correct, color-coded wire pieces handy when you make repairs or additions will be easy.

[jhicken]

You might call WolfsburgWest, tell them you have what you believe is a WireWorks harness that caem with the car. See if they would sell you one of there installation manuals. Although they currently make their own, Wireworks used to. If they can't help, call Wireworks, their manual isn't as good [in black and white] but it's better than nothing.

Sense you currently have a harness installed [regardless on how bad it is], start unpluging it, take pictures and mark all the connectors. Then start replacing the harness. You might start with some of the easier, small sub-harnesses first. It'll help give you more confidence when you get to the bigger ones. Also, when you are stringing the harness through body parts, attach a fish line so you can attach it to the new harness and pull it through the same way.

As previously mentioned, in the main harness that goes front to back, it wont hurt to attach a few extra lines for future use. Better to have them there and not use them. Consider picking up two or three spools of wire in different colors to help keep them seperate.
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Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

[Paul Jr]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I will be on a you tube diet of how to wire installation till my bug me video comes in. We just tried to call and order it but had to leave a message for them to call back.

Might try for an installation manual as suggested also.
Does anyone know of a better one for me to look for.

[jhicken]

[Paul Jr]

Well my Dad just called Wolfsburg west and they don’t want to sell us an installation manual unless we buy a harness. I can understand but he even offered to buy other parts that I will need also. Kind of makes me wonder if They would treat me right if I had issues with something I did buy?

Wait for the bug me video and print out the diagram and hope for the best is my plan, that way I won’t be avoiding other vendors also. Figure if they can’t find it good to go a tad beyond and earn a customers respect and buisness I will stick with the companies that have.

[ashman40]

If you have the time... lay out your harness along the driver's side of the car. The main harness runs along the left heater channel. Using the wiring diagram as a reference, ID the different collections of wires based on the colors in the smaller harnesses. The main runs between the dash and the rear seat with another collection of wires that continue on to the engine compartment. At the front you will find a left and right front light harness as well as a bunch of smaller loose wires that interconnect things behind the dash. Focus on the wires inside the harnesses and match the wire colors. If you find a wire that seems out of place, post a pic. Often, the wire colors get slightly augmented. Grey/black wires may be replaced with white/black; black/red wires may be replaced with red/black wires. Black/green wires often get replaced with green/black wires. Be a little flexible and you should be able to confirm if there are any significant color differences. For example, from sometime after '73 VW replaced many solid black wire runs with solid green wires. This would indicate the harness was for an newer model year. Also look at the harness between the generator and the VR under the rear seat. In '74 VW switched to an alternator with external regulator. This required an extra red wire between the alternator and the VR under the rear seat. When VW switched to an internally regulated alternator they removed the three small gauge wires replacing it with just a single solid blue wire. These wire colors may hint at the model year the harness was designed for.
_________________
AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[Paul Jr]

After doing some searching in boxes I found some instructions for one wire kit. It is a Rebel wire kit with the extra fuses and wires for some extras. Also found a post on here with some good information on installing this kit. So I am going to use the Rebel kit and start this project next weekend.

[Manurata]

Hello guys, I also need help with my wiring. First, I am sorry if I am not posting in the right section. So, this is the problem: I bought a bug, in the papers its writing 1963 year of fabrication, but all the interior fittings and everything I bought and fit was from 1971 up. I have the electrical wiring that was on the car, previous owner cut it. I can not find a proper diagram so I can rebuild it. I will attach also some pictures with actual wiring, or what is left from it. it has a 12 fuses box, and all over it is written mexico, on the body parts, engine, everywhere. I just can`t find an electric diagram with matches my wiring colours. If anyone could help on this, I would appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

[jetmech]

It sounds like you have the deluxe version of the rebel harness, I just installed it into my daughters 74 super, and it went pretty well, if I had any issues the customer service was great Jeremy was fantastic and answered any of my questions. It did take me while to map every thing out cause the wire colours in the wiring diagram in the Bentley books do not match the rebel wire colours, but if to take your time I think the wires are labelled as to what they go too. Just remember that most of your components need a ground wire so buy some brown wire of various gauges. I think the tricky part I had was wiring the 4way switch with the turn signal switch and the turn signal relay. but if you have any questions just ask here or call Jeremy at Rebel. One suggestion I would make is to add the Hard start relay so it can put less amperage through the ignition switch.
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74' Super Beetle

[Manurata]

[jhicken]

Can't help with the Rebel Wiring diagram but you really should start your own thread. Asking your own question on someone elses' thread is bad form. No worries though, start a new thread now asking for a Rebel Wiring diagram. You'll have a better chance of someone answering your question.
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Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

[troubledmind76]

Manurata and Paul jr

rebel wiring doesn't really have a wiring diagram. mine went in very easy, all the wires are labeled every 6 in or so. look up rebel wire harness in this forum and read through. they are setup to lay them out however you want or need but Jeremy is awesome with any questions or problems along the way.

[ashman40]