Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Premium Membership  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
red gen light on with semaphores
Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
piet&som
Samba Member


Joined: February 18, 2009
Posts: 278
Location: Toxandria
piet&som is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 3:54 am    Post subject: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Hi, when I activate a semaphore, the generator red light comes on. Does that mean I have a bad connection at the semaphores?
_________________
Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VW_Jimbo Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11413
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
VW_Jimbo is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 9:01 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Just the red light or in addition to the directional light? Or with no directional light?
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

TDCTDI wrote:
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look.


67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
piet&som
Samba Member


Joined: February 18, 2009
Posts: 278
Location: Toxandria
piet&som is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 12:55 pm    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

The directional light also lights up like it should when I activate the semaphores.
I did not test the voltage at the semas yet though.
_________________
Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VW_Jimbo Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11413
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
VW_Jimbo is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2025 3:15 pm    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Lets see the business side of the issues. The front side of the dash, where all the wires are.
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

TDCTDI wrote:
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look.


67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
piet&som
Samba Member


Joined: February 18, 2009
Posts: 278
Location: Toxandria
piet&som is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 3:01 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

https://youtu.be/Jw6ZaQIGy7c
_________________
Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VW_Jimbo Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11413
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
VW_Jimbo is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 9:27 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

On the bottom of the speedo, is the triple light socket. On the lowest screw point on that assembly, where is the wire going? It is not clear to me in the picture. It is suppose to go to the fuse panel. Key on power. That supplies the power to that trio of light bulbs.

What type of bulb is in the semaphore? It is suppose to be an incandescent 3 watt bulb. Hoping it is not an LED.

Is the contact surface between the semaphore frame and body good or is it heavily painted? That contact point is the main ground connection point.

Somehow the ground path to the semaphore is compromised and the load has found a new path to ground. Through the other bulb. I would start by cleaning the grounds and then checking voltage drops at the hot sides of the devices.

The ground path is the contact with in the semaphore lens contact, to the semaphore frame, to the car's steel body, to the ground cable bolt at the pan to the negative battery post.

9 out of 10 times it is always a ground wire or contact, somewhere. Just a matter of running it down!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

TDCTDI wrote:
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look.


67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
piet&som
Samba Member


Joined: February 18, 2009
Posts: 278
Location: Toxandria
piet&som is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 10:11 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Ok Jimbo, I'll check those items and grounds thoroughly. Thanks!
_________________
Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
piet&som
Samba Member


Joined: February 18, 2009
Posts: 278
Location: Toxandria
piet&som is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2025 4:16 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

Found the problem! After cleaning the generator bulb socket and tightend the screws of the light switch, the red light doesn't light up anymore.
Thanks again Jimbo!
_________________
Oval 54 Light Beige, Oval 53 Metalblue.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VW_Jimbo Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11413
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
VW_Jimbo is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2025 8:18 am    Post subject: Re: red gen light on with semaphores Reply with quote

piet&som wrote:
Found the problem! After cleaning the generator bulb socket and tightend the screws of the light switch, the red light doesn't light up anymore.
Thanks again Jimbo!


Nice job! That is not a fun job, but when you finally find it, it is so great!

Now, since you already started, keep cleaning! If those contacts are that oxidized, so are all of the other ones!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

TDCTDI wrote:
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look.


67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2025, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.