Headlights and wipers all of a sudden not working.

[LancastercountyJim]

I bought a 72 Super Beetle a few months back and have been working on getting it back on the road. A couple weeks ago the headlights and wipers both worked well, but all of a sudden neither are working. Note: the side marker and brake lights work & the fuses all look to still be working and in tact.

Before I go replace the headlight switch and wiper switch, is there an easier explanation as to why they both went out at the same time?

I find it surprising both happened to go out the same week after all these years, I appreciate the feedback! - Jim

[Matt Wilson]

Could be ignition switch related, since both of those items only work with the key "ON". Do you know how old your switch is?
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle

[LancastercountyJim]

Yes, that was one of the earliest items I replaced, just about 2 months ago.

[Cusser]

[mukluk]

Five minutes spent with a trouble light determining where power is and isn't getting where it should would go a long way toward fixing the problem.... or you can just guess and throw parts at it, that works sometimes as well.
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[ashman40]

Find the black/yellow "X" wire coming from the ignition switch. This wire comes thru into the trunk along with the other wires from the ignition switch. The wire should run to the INPUT side of the #10 fuse. Also at the INPUT side of #10 should be another black/yellow wire that runs to the "X" terminal on the headlight switch. The OUTPUT side of #10 fuse runs to the wiper switch/motor.

If there is a disconnect between the ignition switch and the #10 fuse INPUT both the wipers and headlights would be affected.

The black/yellow "X" wire is only powered when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position. Turn the key to this position and then test the #10 INPUT for 12v using a test lamp or VM. Wiggle the key to see if there is intermittent voltage or voltage only is a certain position. If it is, you have a bad ignition switch. It is likely the internal contacts have been burnt from the current flow. If you only replaced the switch a couple months ago consider returning it or opening it up and check the internals. If it is just the contacts getting burnt you can clean them up with a wire brush/sandpaper and add a relay (similar to a Hard Start Relay) to the circuit to take the current load off the electrical contacts in the switch.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[LancastercountyJim]

Appreciate it guys, I'll try all of these tips.

[LancastercountyJim]

Thanks Ashman40, that was exactly the problem. The black/yellow wire from the ignition switch was disconnected.

Tested it, headlights and wipers come on perfectly.

Now here comes the hard part... as I’m just about to celebrate and mark a Win for the day, I take the keys out of the ignition and the engine stays on, lights and all?! I had to choke the carb in order to turn the engine off.

What did I do?!

[Matt Wilson]

Sounds like you wired your ignition HOT. Check your diagrams, wire for wire.
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle