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sjbartnik
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011
Posts: 6041
Location: Brooklyn
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 Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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I would fuse the reversing lights because if you ever develop a short in the wiring after the coil or in the reversing light switch, you will fry the circuit 15 wire all the way back to the ignition switch. The power wire to the coil is not fused.
That will not be a fun wire to replace, not to mention the ignition switch too.
The car will start and run with no fuses at all.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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harrymarlin
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018
Posts: 790
Location: Washington, DC
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| Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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This sounds like it was a catastrophe waiting to happen - but my car survived for 50 years without it. Could something else have been protecting it (would the coil have had protection built in, somehow)?
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia |
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sjbartnik
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011
Posts: 6041
Location: Brooklyn
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| Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| harrymarlin wrote: |
| (would the coil have had protection built in, somehow)? |
Nope
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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Allan Gledhill
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Needles ca.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| Hey everyone, I have a 1967 vw bug and at some point of this cars life someone has cut off the wire and fuse for the back up lights . Does anyone happen to have this wire and fuse holder from a parts car. I want to get my back up lights to work again as I have bought new lights and brackets. Thanks |
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harrymarlin
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018
Posts: 790
Location: Washington, DC
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| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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There are usually a number (in different states) being sold in the classifieds. Look for inline fuse.
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia |
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hsosa1
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2005
Posts: 1924
Location: Fontana
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| Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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does anyone know what gauge wire to use for this installation thanks
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Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998 |
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11212
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 11:19 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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16 gauge is fine for standard wattage bulbs or LEDS
Halogen or high wattage.. ? 14 gauge wont hurt ..
.
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hsosa1
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2005
Posts: 1924
Location: Fontana
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| Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| hsosa1 wrote: |
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does anyone know what gauge wire to use for this installation thanks |
question on this diagram . I hooked up my car like this I even have the OG vw 67 fuse holder . when I go in reverse the fuse burns out. my reverse lights do turn on but then the fuse burns out. my question is on the wiring diagram it shows H terminal 15 do I need to run a wire to the front of the car to terminal 15 ignition ? not sure why my fuse is popping thanks
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11531
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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It's a simple system.
Your fuse blowing, is an indication of the short somewhere in your reverse light wiring.
Trace the wire from the coil to the fuse holder, then from the fuse holder to the trans switch. Look for breaks in the wiring insulation making contact with the body, or some sort of grounding metal.
Make sure to trace the wires from the switch to the lights too, looking for where the wire it may be grounded to a metal surface.
EDIT: The wiring diagram you posted is correct. There is no need to a power wire from another source. Other than the #15 post on the coil.
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Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
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ashman40
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007
Posts: 16769
Location: North Florida, USA
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| Posted: Tue May 30, 2023 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| hsosa1 wrote: |
question on this diagram . I hooked up my car like this I even have the OG vw 67 fuse holder . when I go in reverse the fuse burns out. |
Since the fuse blows only when you shift into reverse it suggests the short is AFTER the reverse light switch.
Look at the wire connections at the switch. Are either wire touching the frame or trans case?
Look at the entire length of the wire from the switch back into the engine compartment. The two wires are normally wrapped in a sleeve. At "E" (in the engine compartment) the circuit splits to a L and R path. Look to this junction and make sure none of the wire terminals are exposed and touching metal.
A quick and simple test...
Find the "E" junction in the engine compartment. It is usually hiding behind the tar paper near the fan intake in the fan shroud. Disconnect all the wires here so you can test each individually.
Place the transmission in neutral so the reverse switch is OPEN.
Using an ohm meter test each wire at the "E" junction for resistance to ground.
The wire to the switch should show infinite resistance since it should not be connected to anything.
Each of the wires running to the reverse lights should show some amount of resistance to ground. It will be much higher than 2.0ohms.
Any resistance reading less than 1.7ohms will cause an 8A fuse to blow. Both of the reverse light wires should be nearly the same resistance reading as each is about the same wire length and runs thru the same rated bulb. If the resistance down one path is much lower than the other it should be suspect.
If you find a low resistance wire, trace it and find out where it is shorting to ground.
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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!} |
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ento 
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 242
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 11:09 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| ashman40 wrote: |
| hsosa1 wrote: |
question on this diagram . I hooked up my car like this I even have the OG vw 67 fuse holder . when I go in reverse the fuse burns out. |
Since the fuse blows only when you shift into reverse it suggests the short is AFTER the reverse light switch.
Look at the wire connections at the switch. Are either wire touching the frame or trans case?
Look at the entire length of the wire from the switch back into the engine compartment. The two wires are normally wrapped in a sleeve. At "E" (in the engine compartment) the circuit splits to a L and R path. Look to this junction and make sure none of the wire terminals are exposed and touching metal.
A quick and simple test...
Find the "E" junction in the engine compartment. It is usually hiding behind the tar paper near the fan intake in the fan shroud. Disconnect all the wires here so you can test each individually.
Place the transmission in neutral so the reverse switch is OPEN.
Using an ohm meter test each wire at the "E" junction for resistance to ground.
The wire to the switch should show infinite resistance since it should not be connected to anything.
Each of the wires running to the reverse lights should show some amount of resistance to ground. It will be much higher than 2.0ohms.
Any resistance reading less than 1.7ohms will cause an 8A fuse to blow. Both of the reverse light wires should be nearly the same resistance reading as each is about the same wire length and runs thru the same rated bulb. If the resistance down one path is much lower than the other it should be suspect.
If you find a low resistance wire, trace it and find out where it is shorting to ground. |
So my 67 doesn't have the fuse either. But the wires were a mess and I may have unknowingly removed it. I've hooked everything up and when I can get a good ground the bulb comes on. But it immediately the inside of the bulb turned white like it was super hot but it didn't feel hot.
I'm going to splice in a fuse to see if it pops. But the is the bulb doing that an indication of a short too?
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62 type 2 So34
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
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ashman40
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007
Posts: 16769
Location: North Florida, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| ento wrote: |
| I've hooked everything up and when I can get a good ground the bulb comes on. But it immediately the inside of the bulb turned white like it was super hot but it didn't feel hot. |
I've seen this happen when you place a 6v bulb into a 12v circuit. They can turn into a "flash bulb". They light up for an instant, the inside of the bulb fills with white and the bulb stops working. It may not get hot as it instantly burnt up.
What do the markings on the side of the bulb say? They usually indicate the voltage and the wattage of the bulb (eg. 12V/5W).
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AshMan40
---------------------------
'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!} |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 242
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| ashman40 wrote: |
| ento wrote: |
| I've hooked everything up and when I can get a good ground the bulb comes on. But it immediately the inside of the bulb turned white like it was super hot but it didn't feel hot. |
I've seen this happen when you place a 6v bulb into a 12v circuit. They can turn into a "flash bulb". They light up for an instant, the inside of the bulb fills with white and the bulb stops working. It may not get hot as it instantly burnt up.
What do the markings on the side of the bulb say? They usually indicate the voltage and the wattage of the bulb (eg. 12V/5W). |
Minus burning up that's exactly what it did. Bulb says 12v 32cp 1073
It's an osram made in Germany so maybe just old?
_________________
62 type 2 So34
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 242
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2024 2:16 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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Swapped out the bulbs. And wired in the fuse. So far so good
_________________
62 type 2 So34
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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ashman40
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007
Posts: 16769
Location: North Florida, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2024 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| ento wrote: |
| ashman40 wrote: |
| What do the markings on the side of the bulb say? They usually indicate the voltage and the wattage of the bulb (eg. 12V/5W). |
Minus burning up that's exactly what it did. Bulb says 12v 32cp 1073
It's an osram made in Germany so maybe just old?
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Yup! That is a classic bulb from the '60s/'70s.
12v = 12-volts 
32cp = 32 candlepower which is around 400 lumens (the 25W 1156 bulb puts out 420 lumens)
1073 = part#. The 1073 was the 21W predecessor to the 25W 1156 bulb
That is the correct 12v bulb for use as a turn signal or reverse lights. It is probably just OLD and was in need of replacement. The "white smoke" (smoke signal) was its way of screaming, "Its my time, please retire me." 
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AshMan40
---------------------------
'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!} |
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NavyGeneral
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2004
Posts: 644
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2025 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Backup Lights Wiring |
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| The back-up light fuse on the fan housing caper was incorporated about Chassis Number 117 282 135 about 24 October 1966 (Workshop Bulletin E-13 issued December 1966). Doesn't mention anything about retrofitting previous Chassis Numbers. |
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