Wiring issue...?

[Turumbar]

So I have a 68 Baja beetle I picked up about 3 months ago. Runs great and has had a lot done to it already. My problem is I tried installing a radio in it as it's my DD, wired it all up and went to turn it over and there was nothing. I'm pretty sure I must have loosened something but have no idea what/where it would be or where to look. The reason I think its just a loose wire is the generator/oil lights on the speedo don't come on anymore when cranking. Any help would be much appreciated, i'd hate to take it in just to have them plug in a wire for me... Thanks!

[fred69vert]

You may have overloaded one of the two "switched" fuses, the two closest to the steering column. These are the circuits that operate only when the ignition switch is on. For wiring in the stereo, pull the fuses and measure the voltage on both sides of the fuse block, then wire the stereo (with its in-line fuseholder) to the "hot" side of the fuse (as opposed to the load side).
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I'm not losing my hair, it's just retired and relocating further south.

1969 VW convertible, "Heidi"

[Turumbar]

I went through all the fuses already, all good. I should have put this in the initial post, I tried to get it going by popping the clutch on a hill and that didn't work. it barely ran and then died. don't know if that helps...

[Turumbar]

I decided to go through all the wiring today and see if i could find where the electricity cuts out from the battery. I should say that i have little to no experience working on cars (aside from changing belts/oil, and a radiator once) and thats in fact why i bought this bug. thinking with the lack of modern equipment it would be a good car to learn how to work on cars. so heres the question: are the wires on the back side of the regulator supposed to be hot? it has been changed to 12v. the wire next to the wire coming in from the battery has juice, but both the ones on the opposite side are dead. i think one goes to the ignition coil and the other is a large red one... like i said, i know very little and any help would be much appreciated...

[Turumbar]

Haha, so apparently i'm using this site to have a conversation with myself. I think i got it, I think the ignition switch is out. this would also explain why it wouldn't start when i tried popping the clutch (i think). i'm going to try and bypass it and see if that works just to make sure. there is no current flowing through that line even when i had my friend crank while i had the testers on it. we shall see...

[ijussfaated]

check the large red wire that goes to headlight switch from regulator that was my problem. also check the wire not battery that spade connects onto starter solenoid.

[andk5591]

Umm - sometimes you need to be a little more patient (I have been told the same thing ) , but also a little more info in the post title helps. Such as "68 Baja wont start after radio install" or something a little more descriptive. "Wiring Issue" is pretty vague. That may help get a quicker response next time. Glad you seem to be getting a handle on it.
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D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[Turumbar]

I wasn't really complaining about talking to myself, that was kinda what lead me to believe it was the ignition. And sorry if it was vague, that was all that happened and all i knew. turned out one of the previous owners had spliced one of the wires connected to the ignition and one of the wires had come out. re-spliced it and we're back in business. I'll be a little more patient next time and try and add more pertinent information. sorry, like i said, it's my DD and i got to work tomorrow...