1973 Thing Reverse lights - reverse switch wiring

[doublecanister]

Hey Everybody!

My 1973"s Things reverse lights dont work (i'm new to VW's) and I'm not sure where to find the reverse light switch, seems all is hooked up at the taillights, cleaned up a few grounds, no luck. I didnt see anything in the shifter area or on the transmission that looks like a switch (which is usually the culprit) didnt see anything around the trans that has any wires going to it. (For all I know it could have been left off the car).

So, Where is the reverse light switch on these THINGS!?!

My THing manual isn't helping either. The wiring diagram is "general" at best, & since I dont know what I'm looking for, I'm not getting anywhere.

Just changed the trans oil and checked around, saw some wires but
it appeared they just ran to the engine bay, I'll need to jack it up good and triple check but I thought i would ask all you THING experts.

Thanks to all that helped me fix my Carb/Idling problem too!!
Just did my first car show with the THING, I drew a good crowd and was the only VW/Thing there. Kept hearing, "I haven't seen one of these since..." I didnt realize these THINGS were that much of a conversation piece.

Well, Appreciate all the suggestions & help.
Thanks,
Tom

[74 Thing]

Crawl back under the car-near the front of the tranny the nosecone area) there should be a switch screwed in facing the front of the car on the passenger side. It kind of looks like an oil pressure switch but it has two male spade. Two wires come off of this-one goes to the reverse lights and the other goes to the + side of the coil. The coil wire is probably not hooked up. The coil wire should also have a fuse in it somewhere so if yours is hooked up the fuse may be blown. Simple as that.

[doublecanister]

Well, Thank you! That does sound pretty easy. Although, I dont remember seeing any wires going to the trans, hopefully they are just unhooked and not completly missing.

I will venture another "crawl", be easer now, got some nice car ramps to get me some more working room & I know what I'm looking for!!

I appreciate the response, wish me luck (that it's all still there to be hooked up).

Thanks,

T.

[doublecanister]

Hey All,

I got the reverse lights working, it was a blown fuse, I didnt see
the fuse holder as it was tucked in behind the carb.

Thanks, I'm working and it was an easy fix!

T.

[caseydenise]

Anyone have any suggestions how to find this fuse, or what color the wire is. My wires at the trans are good, I hooked them up when I put the trans in. Just checked them again, hooked up good. I just can't find the fuse. Thanks.
_________________
Central Jersey Volkswagen Society - President

[kubelmann]

It is a black cigar shaped bakelite holder that originally clipped tot he cooling shroud. The wire comes from the coil to a wire behind the cooling shroud.

[caseydenise]

[thinghunter]

Bakelite is like a hard brittle plastic. It's the same stuff the plastic type thing under the fuel pump is made out of( I just noticed mine has a crack in it today and is leaking oil)

[caseydenise]

[Emeritusx]

I wondered what the hell that fuse was for.... Never even checked my reverse lights yet.... I do know that fuse holder is empty. I love lurking..
_________________
82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠

[kubelmann]

Since y'all asked:::

Bakelite (pronounced /ˈbеɪkɨlaɪt/) is a material based on the thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, developed in 1907–1909 by Belgian Dr. Leo Baekeland. Formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol (a toxic, colourless crystalline solid) and formaldehyde (a simple organic compound), generally with a wood flour filler, it was the first plastic made from synthetic components. It was used for its electrically nonconductive and heat-resistant properties in radio and telephone casings and electrical insulators, and was also used in such diverse products as kitchenware, jewellery, pipe stems, and children's toys. In 1993 Bakelite was designated an ACS National Historical Chemical Landmark in recognition of its significance as the world's first synthetic plastic.[1]
The retro appeal of old Bakelite products and labor intensive manufacturing has made them quite collectible in recent years.

Informationally yours, K-mann

[stevehenderson]

Wire up a backup beeper:
Beep Beep Beep Beep
And drive everyone nutso

[caseydenise]

I just went through my reverse lights wiring. I have two wires that come of the switch towards the front of the trans. One wire goes to the solenoid for power and one goes through the firewall to a VW plastic connector. This single wire goes directly into the rear wiring harness and then I assume (should never do this) to the reverse lights. I took my air cleaner out of the way, and unplugged the wire at this connection. i didn't see any fuse.
Now I put it in reverse with the key full on and tested this connection with a test light and got nothing. I have to get a battery and test the connection out to the lights themselves tomorrow. I could even figure out where it woul be fused, unless it get's fused with other taillights.
Do the trans switched go bad often. It would make sense that this is the culprit.
_________________
Central Jersey Volkswagen Society - President

[Emeritusx]

[caseydenise]

[thinghunter]

I don't think it is wired up right. The two wires from the switch should both go through the firewall/engine tin. Then one goes into the harness(the shorter of the two) and to the lights, the other goes to that fuse holder (the longer of the two) on the shroud and then gets power from the coil. If the power wire is going to the solenoid it would only be getting power when the key is in the start position I think. I guess to test this you can put your car in reverse, put in the clutch, and try to start the car when someone watches to see if the reverse lights come on when the starter is engaged. I would probably just wire it right though It shouldn't be impossible to find an original fuse holder as they were on every aircooled VW with reverse lights.

[caseydenise]

[thinghunter]

Yes, 8 amp

Here's some orig holders if you have a couple bucks laying around:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=644712

[caseydenise]

[hank0306]

Does anyone have a photo or directions to the wire that comes out of the harness that hooks up to the wire coming off of the reverse light switch? My set up hadn't any reverse lights or wiring. I understand a hot wire leaves the coil through an 8amp fuse to the switch on the tranny. Then a wire leaves the switch and hooks up to a single wire that powers both of the reverse lights. This junction where it hooks up to the lights is what I am looking for, if anyone has a photo or directions, I would appretiate your help.