69 Kombi Camper is haunted by Janis Joplin

[decriminalizpot]

We just purchased our first VW Camper and she is a pistol. She has fought us every step of the way since we went to look at her. I tried to talk my husband out of buying her, pointing to her rusty bits. Too late, he was in love.... so now I am afraid we have been spanked. The sliding door stopped shutting on the ride home, then she also kept stalling out then flooded. The radio needed the fuse replaced when we did that sparked it blew cheap radio, then lights went wanky. that was all the first day. Yesterday my Hippy went out to start Janis and cant turn ignition switch, steering wheel is locked. I bought that big fat Bently book and a circuit probe. Im feeling so over whelmed by Janis, I have no idea how to work on her. I have watched all these you tube videos that told us how to fix the sliding door, which actually works now. Installed new radio, found another fuse blown, wiggled fuses and lights started working. Now I am wondering if wiring could have something to do with steering wheel lock. My Hippy puffed some grafite in the lock and that did nothing. It was super cold yesterday and I thought maybe kinda froze but I doubt I could be so lucky. Janis Joplin is a rock star and I dont know how I'm going to keep her up at this pace. We stopped by a body shop to get an idea about how much fixing rust and paint cost. I about passed out, I had no idea painting a vehicle cost as much as a house! If it were up to me I would stick a for sale sign on that ole girl right now. Any words of wisdom on the locked steering/key wont turn.

[williamM]

for a frozen (with cold) lock, heat your key for 10 sec with a cig lighter and quickly install- count to 10 and try-

repeat as necessary-

might try to rock steering while trying the switch.

check samba "cars for sale" to get an idea of these cars value.
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opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[wcfvw69]

You need to cut the old girl a break. After decades of previous owners hacks, poor repairs and lack of general maintenance, these old VW's need to be gone through mechanically to get them back to spec.

Rust can be a deal breaker though. As you found out, cutting out rusty metal and replacing it can be shockingly expensive if you pay a pro to do it.

Can you post some pictures of this bus?
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[Spike0180]

Yup, wiring sucks. Not going to lie to you on that one. From my experience, it regularly is poor grounds. Whatever you do, don't rush the wiring and go ripping it all out. More than likely, a lot of it is correct and can be very helpful. As for the key lock, the cigarette lighter idea is pretty great. Wear a glove. lol And if all else fails, it isn't too difficult to get the wheel off this (no airbags to deal with) and get it all unlocked and figured out.
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Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp

Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic"

[alman72]

I agree with trying to turn the steering wheel back and forth while trying the key. also is the key in the ignition the right way? ( hell, IS there a right way? I know my 73 likes it when the oblong bit of the key head points to the driver, and not the dash)

[decriminalizpot]

tryed jiggling the wheel while wiggling key in both directions. Heated key with lighter, repeat wiggle jiggle. have posted pics

[alman72]

does the key only slide in one way? didja try flipping the key over? (if it don't fit, don't force it.)

[decriminalizpot]

flipped and jiggled

[notchboy]

Words of wisdom? You done already messed up and bought a bus

If you are not willing to do the time, then do not do the crime.

Welcome to the love hate relationship of vintage auto ownership.
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[Tom Powell]

You may have to do more than wiggle the steering wheel to unlock the ignition switch. The steering wheel lock prevents the steering wheel from being moved while the ignition is off. When the steering lock has pressure on it you cannot turn the key. You need to take the pressure off the lock by moving and holding the steering wheel in one direction or the other. This is a common occurrence.

Aloha
tp

[jtauxe]

[Abscate]

Disconnect battery and pull that speaker wire out of the fuse box. Trace it first, to find out what it is powering. That's pretty much telling you previous owners were butchers, which isn't uncommon.
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[decriminalizpot]

Well I looked at that speaker wire and seems to be that it is attached to the back of fuse box someway. It is super cold so I just snapped a couple pics to see if u see any thing else. Still no progress on key turning.

[Tom Powell]

Fuses 1,5,6 are not seated well with the end of the fuse in the puka.

Spin all the fuses to make sure they are making good contact in their holders.

Which is the speaker wire you are referring to? A speaker wire may pass around or behind a fuse box, but there is no reason why it would be attached to the fuse box. Is it a speaker wire, or the power supply wire to the stereo?

Aloha
tp

[rastomas]

Don't put any more graphite in the ignition lock. Too much electrical in there, and graphite conducts electricity, and may cause a short.
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"It's not 'You are what you eat', it's 'You are what you don't SHIT". Wavy Gravy.


'74 Westy

[my59]

Do you have a second ignition key? If so try it out.
Does the key you have unlock the door? If so you can get the key code off the lock and get a new fresh key. The old one may just be too worn.
Don't get a new key cut from old as you are making a copy of on old worn key.

As to the fuses screw rotating them and buy new ones. They look pretty hammered.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[mark d]

you just bought the bus and already you have fixed the sliding door, the lights, and the stereo. good on ya...hang in there
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1972ish westfalia

"what good are tractors without violins ?" jose figueres

[Abscate]

Oh Lord...won't you buy me ....a VW Van...I mean Bus...
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[Cap10323]

[decriminalizpot]

well the wiggle jiggle technique finally worked! Janis Joplin has thrown me a bone! the key turned!!!!