About Rick O. Expertise Classic, aircooled (rear engine) 1949-1979 VW's, specializing in electrical problems, fuel injection, and Type 181 "The Thing".
NOTE: I have limited experience on water-cooled VWs (Rabbit, Golf, Jetta, etc...) but I am glad to help to the extent of my knowledge, due to the fact there are currently no other experts registered for these models.
Experience 15 years of aircooled VW ownership and maintenance.
Publications Wikipedia, VW Beetle
Education/Credentials Retired US military Electronics Tech/Master Training Specialist, Civilian Computer engineer.
Question QUESTION: Recently, I have been having problems with the headlights and auxiliary lights on my Thing. I turned on my headlights, and after about a minute, both of them turned off at the same time. This left the amber lights and turn signal working. Similarly, my auxiliary white lights worked for a time, then stopped. I did not install these extra lights, so I am unsure as to the wiring of them. I looked over the fuses associated with the headlights and none appeared to be blown. Any advice as to where to look is appreciated. Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Allison,
The Thing electrical system is very basic. The headlight circuit begins with power from the headlight switch via a BLACK/WHITE striped wire when turned ON, which then goes to the dimmer relay and leaves as a WHITE wire for regular beam, or as YELLOW for high beam when selected. Fortunately, the Thing's dash panels are easily opened from the front, only one screw holds each section, so you can gain easy access for inspection. I suspect you may have a loose connection, possibly causing the connector to get hot and causing an electrical OPEN (disconnect). I would first check all the connections described. Next I would replace the dimmer relay, and finally the headlight switch on the dash. There could also be a bad GROUND located at the headlights, which is the BROWN wire to these connectors.
Rick
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QUESTION: The connections look okay to me when I checked them, but that didn't solve the problem. Is there a way I can circumvent the switch to check if that's the problem? Or should I check into the bulbs being bad and failing at the same time? I really appreciate your help.
Allison,
Yes, you can bypass it. Get a set of insulated alligator jumper clips (see here: www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062236 ).
Open the dash cover and connect one jumper across the headlight switch contacts as shown in the attached picture. Your switch may be slightly different, but the solid RED and WHITE/BLACK terminals should be in exactly the same orientation on most classic VWs. Give the car a good run about and see what happens.
Be aware this will keep the lights on ALL the time, so be prepared to disconnect it immediately after your test run so the battery won't get drained.
If this doesn't have any effect, then you might try bypassing the high beam relay next.
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