Classic/Antique Car Repair/'74 vw beetle

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Expert: Paul Wilczynski - 7/8/2009


Question
what can i check  or look for to stop the fuse from blowing on my windshield wipers. they ran perfect and then the fuse thing. please any suggestions will help.
thank you , joyce

Answer
First, Joyce. make sure that the fuse is the correct amperage value. One of too low a value will blow, even if everything in the circuit is in perfect condition.

If the fuse value is correct, then there's something amiss in either the motor, the switch, or the wiring itself. NOTE: NEVER, EVER replace a fuse with one of a HIGHER amperage value--this will heat up the wiring and is a leading cause of vehicle fires on the road.

Start by cleaning any wiring terminals with a small hand toothbrush-sized brass wire brush. Do these one at a time, disconnecting them and reconnecting them.

Put another fuse in of the correct value. If it blows, it's the switch or motor. This is simple process of elimination--start with the most obvious, easiest to fix, and/or the cheapest part in the chain to replace.

Next, the switch. This should be removed or checked in place with a resistance meter; at this point, you're probably best off taking the car to an auto electrical shop or specialist mechanic. I avoid dealers; they don't do well in this sort of work, as their mechanics work by the book and hate wiring problems.

Finally, the motor. This is a very expensive proposition for these later Bugs, and its function should be verified by a pro before replacing with another motor.

I hope I've given you enough to go on. Oftemtimes, this is a simple fix, and if it isn't and you have to take it to a pro, at least you'll know it's been done properly.

--Paul

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Paul Wilczynski

Expertise

Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.

Experience

Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself. When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations. I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc. Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.

Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.

Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.

Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).

Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.

Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.

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