Random wires in the front of '81 Westy

[sierrasuth]

I have a variety of wires sticking out in the front of my Westy. I'm not sure if these wires are working/important but I'm sure they have some functioning as they are connected to the e-brake, the gas pedal, and inside the glove box. However I don't like that they are out and exposed and was wondering if anyone knows why they are like this and any way that I can fix it so they aren't just running randomly throughout the car. Let me know if you have a solution, thank you

[danfromsyr]

a nice front carpet usually fixes them..

as for what they are
1 is factory, so the Ebrake can illuminate the dash light when the Brake is up and IGN is on.

others are POs Previous Owners..

likely for a speaker or an amp...
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[Red Ryder]

[danfromsyr]

personally there are many things disturbing on this post and pics..

that the fresh paint and taped over under dash wires.. signifies a quick lipstick to sale effort... usually not a mark of quality work or effort.

that the gas pedal only has one of it's rivets securing it to the floor.. if the base comes loose then the pedal fails and you no go.. this often happens as you are pulling out of a fast food place trying to rabbit across traffic with a large coffee/soda in your other hand..

that some PO left these here for you.. a very novice van and vehicle owner to have to not only discover but to deal with..

add in that this WILL NOT be your hardest test in ownership of a 40year old vehicle that was sold with a 2yr warranty when new..
it's GREAT that you are here asking questions.. don't let frumpy grumpy old (persons) chase you away.. but you will need to roll up your sleeves, put on your big kid earplugs and get greasy if you are expecting miles of smiles from your time, effort and investment.
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[danfromsyr]

actually RED/GREEN bonded wires in my ASI bring power to the rear cabinet.

so like a river, road, hose or a rope.
the best way to find the end(s) is to follow it along and see where it goes..

if they are power, make sure they are fused, and try not to short them to the metal body/floor

edit: still I think those coupled wires are speaker/amp wires... vs power wires.

ASI, camper flippers and Previous owners all do some funky weird stuff.
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[sierrasuth]

Thanks for your help. It definitely has its quirks... what do you think is most concerning about the under dash wires/is there anything I can do about that?
Also, the red and green wires are going underneath the driver's seat.
Let me know if you have any more thoughts, I really appreciate it

[sierrasuth]

Sorry one more thing, what can I do about the gas pedal wire? Is there a way to rewire it underneath somehow? If that's really controlling the gas it's pretty concerning to have it out and exposed like that.
Thanks again

[danfromsyr]

there should NOT be a gas pedal wire..

so take a better look at it.. it's probably the E-brake wire that's caught up in the 'works' ..

move it aside cover any bare spots with electrical tape
put it under the carpet..

the pedal should have a 2nd rivet... or bolted or screwed down to the floor in the right hand hole.


the underdash wires are 'fine' and it is nice that the flipper covered them in tape vs just spraying them white when they refreshed the inside paint.. so it's not all that bad really.. but the fact of not understanding the wires on the floor.. don't go messing with any under the dash just yet.

being such a novice with a 40yr old VW .. I do suggest a local mechanically apt friend or mentor
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[dhaavers]

The use of blue wire nuts on the R/G pairs lends a definite “non-stock” vibe to the install…

ESSENTIAL before doing anything serious with wiring: move the passenger seat forward
& disconnect the main battery ground cable. After that, move the driver seat forward and
actually look around in there. You should find the other end of the R/G wires, maybe…???

Report back again if anything else seems weird…

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[sierrasuth]

Thanks everyone I appreciate the help! Definitely going to try to find someone local with wiring experience too

[valvecovergasket]