1968 - Brake Warning Light, B light on dash

[67sash]

So I am in the middle of rewiring the dash of a May, 1968 bus. I have almost everything working. I have researched, read, and tried wiring the Brake System Warning Light, K9 on the VW TYPE 2 - From August 1967 (1968 and 1969 models) of the Bentley manual.

I have come across some key information below that expands on the Bentley Manual.

I have wired the system as stated:
Switches on Master cylinder to K
Fuse block (joined with BLK/R wire) in fuse #1
Bulb to Ground


ISSUE:
The light turns on when ignition moves to accessory and stays on when motor starts. When I push the brake peddle the light goes out. When I remove pressure from brake peddle the light comes back on. SO, the light is on continuously except when brake is applied.

Question:
1) Does it matter which prong on the 2 switches on the MC I connect the wires to? They are all copies of each other currently, if that makes sense.

2) Is my ground shitty? Checked it a dozen times already

3) WTF am I doing wrong?

Any ideas or thoughts are welcome! THX in advance - Sash

[coolerthanelvis]

My early '68 has the two brake light switches and a third switch strictly for the warning light. The diagram you posted is for 3-prong brake light switches and the brake warning lights are connected to terminal 81a on each switch. There should be numbers molded into the plastic on each switch.

Aside from that, have you tried reversing the connections at the light/button on the dash? I had mine hooked up backwards and had similar indications.
_________________
Shawn
SV2s member #420
'68 Westy

"Do or do not, there is no try."
-Silent Bob

[telford dorr]

Here's the schematic for a '68:

Note that the brake fail switch (J4) is different than the two main brake light switches (J1). The two J1 switches are wired in parallel with each other, thus either switch will light the brake lights. J4 is (most likely) a different switch type than the other two, but I don't have any here to look at to be sure.

[busdaddy]

Yes, the switch on a 68 (J4) is a pushbutton like a reverse light switch opposed to a pressure switch, the master cylinder had a separate spring centered piston on the side that each hydraulic circuit pushed on from opposite ends, if one failed it moved the piston and the switch was activated.

If 67sash has the black (#15) wires on the 82a terminals, the red wires to the warning light on 81a and the black/red brake light wires on 81 it should work, as Elvis mentions terminal numbers matter. Also consider the dismal quality of new switches, it's not impossible one is NFG right out of the box.
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[coolerthanelvis]

Not exactly a push button, more like a toggle, but you are correct with the operation.

MOFOCO lists it as a beetle part, but would probably work on a bus.
http://www.mofoco.com/item/VW_BUG_68_69_BRAKE_WARNING_LIGHT_SWITCH_113_945_515E/2463/p7c128
_________________
Shawn
SV2s member #420
'68 Westy

"Do or do not, there is no try."
-Silent Bob

[busdaddy]

Oh it's a pushbutton alright, the piston that activates it has a Vee in the middle (narrowed section) that the switch sits in, when the piston moves the plunger slides up the ramp of the Vee and is depressed.
That switch would likely work, but now you'll need the super rare bus master cylinder to use it.
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[67sash]

Mine is a push button, not sure but was told that feature changes in later late bays. I would have to go check, but believe my 73 is not a push button.

I found the issue. It was connected to 81A on both switches, but due to the amazing soldering job from the PO it was contacting the other connection on the switch. fixed, shrink wrapped, and bam...it works AS I HAD IT WIRED. I thank you for the quick responses. I really try and research the information to death before posting so the same questions are not asked over and over again.

Now to wire in the emergency flasher relay....and possible the door buzzer.

THX, Ryan