Replacing 1971 ignition electrical switch

[michaelmike]

Sorry, ive been using this post for reference on my 71. I pulled the car (71 square, FI, stock) into the garage to bleed the rear brakes and when i went to pull her out i had a not start. Jack it up and find i've knocked the solenoid wire off. Connect it, still no start. I have the misses turn the key while i was underneath with a tester, no voltage to solenoid start wire when she turns the key. Hmm. Look at the column to investigate switch, seems the previous owner used a different ignition switch and used a harness to adapt to the MPC plug, which seems adequate to me.
So i probed across a couple the connectors and found continuity between the two large ones when turned in the start position. Again hmm. I figure I could jump across the large red and red/black wire to trigger the starter but still nothing.
Is there something I am missing downstream from the switch? This is my first vw in 26 years and i remember my 70 fasty was a pretty straight shot from the ignition to the starter.
Thanks gang.

[Tram]

[andrewdubya]

Has anyone attempted to find a replacement MPC after completely shattering the original?

Second question, if it’s not too big of a concern to put it all back original, how necessary is the MPC ? Ideally I’d put one back in, but not sure how long I want to spend looking for a needle in a haystack.

[heimlich]

I've got a big box of those ignition switches. I disassembled about 20 NOS 311953503AJ steering columns that had been damaged. I ended up with ignition switches and the little plastic pieces for them.
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[EasternNotch]

[chrima]

Actually looking at that harness in the add, that is the plug that connects to the wires coming off the turn signal and not the plug that connects to the ignition wires.

So the hunt continues.

If anybody else has any ideas let me know. Thanks!

[chrima]

Oh sweet, yeah think that might be it. I sent the seller a note. I swear I looked through the classified a few times.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[EasternNotch]

[chrima]

Anybody know where I can get the female side of the plug that connects to the male plug from the ignition on the steering column? (see pictures from original post step 9-11)

This would be for a 71 Fastback. It comes from the main harness I know that much. The original was cut off when I purchased the car.

I know I could wire in some after market plug, but hoping to avoid that.


Here is my Fastback. It's pretty much all original.

[sjbartnik]

With regard to the large nut holding the steering wheel, on my car it is 27mm.

I would expect that's one of those things that didn't change too much over the years.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Mario Steinhauser]

I don’t want to crash the thread, i’ve asked Phil if I can leave this here...

If you want to replace your switch with a NOS one, here’s your chance:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2187365

Thank you!

Regards,
Mario / T3HQ

[KTPhil]

Wow, that has really been hacked. You may have better luck changing out the whole column assembly intact, rather than piecemealing almost everything.

Lately I've seen a few '71 only turn signal switches from the classifieds, maybe $150 or so, but I'm not seeing them now. But you need the column, too, so that's just the beginning.

Check these ads:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2049717
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2094218


Or try PM'ing Joel (Boo-Koo-Z) and see if he can pull a whole column off, hopefully from a '71. He's also got the turn signal wiring separate:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1982640

Or search for column parts here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search
Some pricey NOS, some cheap, but I bet you find what you want here, including many '71-vintage parts.

[garylatl]

These are the pics of the turn signal/headlight dimmer switch and the ignition switch (or what is left of each). As you can see, the wires have been cut on the back of the turn signal switch, and the housing for the ignition switch has been broken off at the end. The ignition key switch is missing the tab needed for the ignition wires, and someone put a penny over the key hole. There are no wire connectors of any kind left. The part number on the housing is 111 905 851 L. I'm not even sure this is the right one for my car. The steering lock (which is also missing) is round in this one and looks square in the pics in the post above.

Where can I find the correct housing for the ignition switch?

[KTPhil]

The plastic connector is just a convenience, not a necessity. It allows for the column removal without fishing a bunch of wires. If you are handy with wiring, you can make other years work without getting the 1-year-only bits. Maybe post up some pics of what's there now (showing the wiring especially) and we might have suggestions.

[garylatl]

I'm not concerned about the headlights turning off when the switch is off. I cannot even brighten/dim them with the turn signal now. As long as the ignition switch and turn signal look original, I can deal with the wiring.

[KTPhil]

I've seen them come up in the classifieds occasionally.
Also, there is some interchangeability if you trade out the whole assembly. I think the '70 setup can work, though you lose the "turn lights off when you pull the key" function that came with the "X" terminal in '71. Depending on how patient and authentic you want to be, that might be an option.

[garylatl]

Hi, I just purchased a 1971 Type 3 Fastback. One of the prior owners had replaced the steering wheel with an aftermarket wheel and added an aftermarket ignition switch under the dash. They have cut all of the wires off of the turn signal indicator switch as well as the original ignition switch. The housing that contains the steering lock is broken. There are not plastic wire harness connectors, either.

I need to find a replacement ignition switch, housing, harness and turn signal indicator switch. I have found some online, but some sites say they will work while others indicate they will not. I would send pics, but there is nothing left to show except the broken housing with the part number 111 905 851 L.

I would like to restore this car, but wiring is not my best suit, so if anyone can provide a source that I can use to get the right parts, I would appreciate it. I don't have to have the harness connectors as I can splice the wires and conceal them.

Thank you!
Gary

[bobhill8]

You guys are the real deal. Thanks for the quick response AND for taking the time to make such a detailed sticky so I can understand this and make it work properly again.

[KTPhil]

Steering wheel nut is tightened to 36 ft. lbs.

The wiring diagrams in the Technical section here will help you.

[Donnie strickland]

The brown/blue wire is the ground for the ignition key buzzer.

I don't recall what the torque is for the steering wheel, and my Bentley manual isn't where I can look it up.
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71 Elm Green FI A/T Squareback