Column wires

[Jack Duncan]

My VW column is a 1970 version. I have one wire for the right turn and one wire for the left turn. Do I run both front and rear off one wire? Also I have one wire for the turn indicator. How does it know if I'm turning left or right? One small black wire goes to the fuse panel. What's up with that? It's about a #16 wire. HELP!!

[CoryN]

Might look on The Samba - there were quite a few discussions on this in the fiberglass buggy/kit car forum a week or so ago.

[jspbtown]

Jack,
I use terminal blocks that I get from Radio Shack. I have some pics but you will have to wait until morning for me to post them. Its a pain from my home computer.

Essentially you take the right signal wire, bring it to the terminal block, then you can distribute it to the right front, the right rear, and the right indicator light for that. You do the same for the left.

You have one wire for the turn indicator because the stock Beetle speedos had only one indicator that was shaped like two opposing arrows that lit up no matter which way you were turning. Terminal blocks will solve that for you.

The circuit is basically power into the flasher, then to the power wire on the column. Then it goes out to the appropriate side. You can also hook up your flashers if needed by using this terminal block method.

If you need more details just let me know.

[David O']

There are three wires going to the turn signal switch, black,white and green wire is the power to the turn switch, it goes to the flasher, and then a hot lead. the other tow are the left and the right (black-white) and (black green), you join the front and rear wires to each one of those to that one single wire, and the indicator light can be one light, coming off of the flasher turminal.

[Jack Duncan]

You guys are great! Thanks for the info. It makes more sense now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions later. I'm about to start the wiring process, just trying to understand everthing before I get started.
jspbtown, I would appreciate those pictures and thanks for your trouble.

[jspbtown]

Jack,
Here is a picture of my finished wiring harness on my Manx.



To the left is terminal block that I use to distribute hot leads. If you look on the bottom on the terminal block you can see connectors that join sets of screws together. You can get the terminal strips and connectors at your local Radio Shack.

As an example here is how I wire the blinkers. In your case I would run the black-white wire (right turn signal) to a screw. I would then connect at least four screws together (two up top and two below). From those 4 screws I would run a wire for the front right blinker, the right rear blinker, and the indicator light for the right side.

Do the same for the left side.

You can also incorporate a flasher set up by taking a Bosch relay which has two hot supply leads when activated. These are pretty common. By having these two isolated at rest leads you isolate the right and left blinkers until such time they are activated. You would take a power lead to a flasher, then to a relay, then to a toggle, then out to the relay. From the relay with two "out" power tabs you take one to the left blinker circuit on the strip and one wire to the right circuit on the strip. When ou flip the switch your 4 blinkers will flash as well as your left & right indicator lights.


For the headlights, I take the power supply wire from the relay I use and run it to a terminal. I connect 6 (three up and three low) on the strip. From those 6 I run wires to the front marker lights, the rear marker lights, the gauge lights, the license plate light, and then the main supply for the hi/lo beam selector.

I also use a relay for the horn and for the wiper self park circuit.

Lastly, the terminal strip on the far right is for my grounds. I run them all back to one spot. It uses some extra wire, but it is easy to trace any future issues. And it keeps them relatively dry and clean.

If you have any more questions let me know.

This is only one way to wire a buggy. There are many many other ways.

[CoryN]

Jeff - do you have that all drawn out someplace? Wiring this bad boy scares me more than any other facet of the build.

[jspbtown]

Cory,
I don't have it anywhere. Sorry. I used the VERY basic diagram that came with the kit and made some modifications to fit the application. I also make one easy mod to the fuse block to leave 1 constant hot and one keyed hot circuit left over.

Compared to what you have done with the body the wiring is a piece of cake. It really is. Nothing is difficult, it is easily divided into very simple tasks, and I am more than happy to walk you through it (if you want to go my method).

Wiring is fun. It is by no means anything like production cars. These things are amazingly simple. 6 circuits are all you need (unless you want a radio).

Some simple rules to remember.....

1. Everything needs a ground
2. Wire one circuit at a time
3. Think: Power supply, switch, ground. Basically everything you do will have those three components

I will bet you your favorite adult beverage that you will actually enjoy the job. Just one hint: wire it BEFORE you mount the body to the chassis.

[DannyT]

Cory, I have a "just the basics" diagram I can get to you. It has lights,guages,switches and engine wiring. Anything else is a simple add-on.

[matter396]

I have been tellin Texas Buggys that since I started this project that wiring it what scares me the most. More than any other part of this build I am worried about this. Some of them have done it and maybe understand it a little better but I would rather paint a car, rebuild the motor, or anything else before the wiring. I am dreading that 6 MONTHS, I am sure it will take me at least that long. A little trial and error, some research and help from all these wonderful folks will get both of us through it. It just wont be easy.

[CoryN]

I'm actually looking forward to the routing of the wires and all that part of it, I'm anal that way. Its the relays and stuff that freak me out.

[matter396]

Exactly......makin it look right and very neat is fun.....the other stuff is the scarry part.

[jspbtown]

Well guys we will make a good team then....cause making it look good is the pain for me but figuring out ways to make it work is the fun part!

Some things to consider before you start wiring:

1. Tail lights. Keep in mind what you are going to use and what function they will have. If you want one light to do blinkers and brake lights you will need a trailer converter or a series of relays that will make your head spin!
2. Front marker lights. They will need to be dual filament if you want them to be your driving lights and blinkers.
3. Switch selection. If you go toggle you can't have dimming on your gauges. Some think that is important....I don't. For the wipers if you want two speeds you need a special toggle. I always found switch selection the hardest part.
4. Steering column. What you use will require special wiring for the horn and possibly blinkers.

Its all good. I am happy to help out any time.

[DannyT]

This should be of interest to any of you wanting to really finish off the harness with wire loom and t-connector. This will finish off your wiring project and give it the factory finished look. I bought from them and you can order as little as you want. They have connectors to go from the 3/8 loom to as little as 1/4. These are T connectors.

http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/wir ... %20Matches

[blackthree4me]

This should get you started as to what goes where
if you dont have something or want to add something delet it or add it in
hope this helps

[Jack Duncan]

Man, you are a life saver!! I had that schematic, but without the legend. I didn't know what all the symbols were, and I was lost. Even though it was very hard to read, I was able to copy down all the meanings. I'm pretty sure I can do this now. Thanks a million!

[David Head]

Cory,
You can do it. and it wont take 6 months. My first buggy took me all weekend doing it by myself. The second buggy took about half that time. Just remember "one circuit at a time"

Its really quite simple.

btw*******if I can do it, anyone can do it.

David

[CoryN]

Yea - well just be ready for the onslaught of questions when it gets time