1959 beetle with 1964 engine, 6V issues

[ResqCap28]

Hello everyone. For some reason when I have my headlights on, my turn signals don’t work unless the engine is high revving. Turn the headlights off and my signals work ok. I am a 12v beetle guy so this old school 6V system is throwing me, any suggestions? Thank you.

[rcroane]

Start by cleaning/tightening all connections, especially grounds. You can pinpoint problem areas by testing for voltage drops throughout the system.
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[KTPhil]

The resistance of the bulbs and wiring determine the flash rate. Get enough resistance (aka, voltage drop), and it stops altogether. This is very common and cheap to fix, though tedious.

Do you have push-on terminals or hold-down screws? Either way, make sure they are clean and tight. You may have to push the push-on's rolled edges down (not too far that you crack them), so they fit tightly.

Start at the headlight switch, the common source point for all fused wiring. Then trace through the wiring diagram to the fusebox, ignition switch, back to the fusebox, and finally out to the light fixtures (both headlights and turn signals, problem could be either).

If you have a VOM, measure the voltage at the bulbs with the engine off but ignition on. The most loss you can usually stand is about half a volt. Any more and things get dim and slow. Do it well and it will be 0.2V, which will work fine.

Also clean and tighten the red wire at the voltage regulator.

Spend half a day doing this and your problem will probably disappear. You'll have safer headlights, and brighter brake lights, too, if you clean those wires.

[bluebus86]

Good advice above. often it is loose or corroded, dirty connections that cause a string of little voltage drops along the line to and from the dim light bulbs, slow flasher. The fuse panel is an often source of voltage drops, turn on the lights and measure across the fuse for voltage, that will be the drop across the fuse, fuse holder. fuse ends become corroded, as do the holder spring clips, twisting the fuses around in the clips can clean them up, or get new fuses, polish clip contacts, bend to retension the clips to grip the fuse well

disconnect battery before wire work!

Also clean up the grounds at the light bulbs, the ones to the fender, body.

Of course, make sure your fan belt is correct tension, not oilily and slippy, and look at the two generator brushes for wear, they should sit above their metal holders, if below the holders, they need replacement.

Let us know how it goes.

Also see link at end of this post on Engine Fires and Safety Wire!

Bug On! With Bright Lights! Real Cars Use 6 Volts!
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[Danwvw]

My 1960 VW beetle I just got was doing the same thing so I got the Wolfsburg West 6 volt flasher relay now it flashes too fast unless the headlights are on. I am thinking of trying one of these so I can run led's as the WW flasher won't flash the rears with led bulbs. 6 Volt Led Flasher.
I am in the process of chasing down voltage drops too. I found about 1/2 a volt drop in several places in the headlight circuit namely fuse block connections and the spade lug connections at the headlight switch and the dimmer switch seems to be losing a little voltage. Also the headlight connectors. (But better headlight circuit connections won't help the slow flasher unless they are found in the main circuit ie. 6 volt + wiring from the battery to the flasher relay or in the ground somewhere) But my generator is not handling the headlight load very well and fixing that would help.
Original Flasher wiring:

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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[ResqCap28]

Thank you all very much, I found a weak ground drivers side headlight and the fuse block that holds the 2 fuses for the headlights needed a lot of attention Plus, snugged up the connections on the generator... MUCH better. I should have known this but you know how you get so into a problem you over look things(?)

Huge help, thank you all very much.