1977 Bus - Right Brake Light Stays On

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Sluggo
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1977 Bus - Right Brake Light Stays On

Post by Sluggo » Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:03 pm

New problem. I'm thinking it may be the new brake switch.

As soon as I turn on the ignition my right brake light comes on. When I step on the brake it goes out and neither of them light up. If I pull the plugs from either switch the light does not stay on.

Am I correct in assuming it's the new switch? I kept one new switch and replaced the leaking (new) switch with my old OG switch. That's when this started.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

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hambone
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Location: Portland, Ore.
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Post by hambone » Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:20 pm

Make sure it's wired correctly. I went through that with the Beetle. It turned out to be plugged into the wrong spade.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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Sluggo
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Post by Sluggo » Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:18 pm

hambone wrote:Make sure it's wired correctly. I went through that with the Beetle. It turned out to be plugged into the wrong spade.
It is. It worked fine before and the only part of the electrical portion of the brake system that changed is the switches.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

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dtrumbo
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Location: Mill Creek, WA
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Post by dtrumbo » Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:01 pm

I would replace both switches with these.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/produc ... 113945515G

I just bought this brand (Euromax) from my local VW FLAPS (for three times the price, but I was in a hurry) and they actually have VW/AUDI and the part number stamped on them. They work, too!

Then fix the burned out bulb or corroded socket on the light that doesn't light. If one light lights, the other socket has to be getting power as well which means you've got another problem local to the socket.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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Sluggo
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Post by Sluggo » Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:07 pm

dtrumbo wrote:I would replace both switches with these.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/produc ... 113945515G

I just bought this brand (Euromax) from my local VW FLAPS (for three times the price, but I was in a hurry) and they actually have VW/AUDI and the part number stamped on them. They work, too!

Then fix the burned out bulb or corroded socket on the light that doesn't light. If one light lights, the other socket has to be getting power as well which means you've got another problem local to the socket.
Those are the exact ones I bought. Mine didn't have the VW logos though.

New socket & bulb works. It's not that it doesn't light. It's that it stays lit and goes out when ever I step on the brake.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

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Randy in Maine
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Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
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Post by Randy in Maine » Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:40 pm

Don't hit me, but is the bulb in the socket correctly? The dual filament bulb really only fits correctly one way.

I have done it wrong myself.
79 VW Bus

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Sluggo
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Post by Sluggo » Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:47 pm

Randy in Maine wrote:Don't hit me, but is the bulb in the socket correctly? The dual filament bulb really only fits correctly one way.

I have done it wrong myself.
Yes it is in the right way. I wouldn't hit you. If you've followed my posts you'd see that the obvious often eludes me.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

User avatar
Randy in Maine
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Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Status: Offline

Post by Randy in Maine » Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:05 pm

Sluggo wrote: If you've followed my posts you'd see that the obvious often eludes me.
Me too.
79 VW Bus

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dtrumbo
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Location: Mill Creek, WA
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Post by dtrumbo » Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:08 am

Sluggo wrote:Those are the exact ones I bought. Mine didn't have the VW logos though.
:pale: That's very disturbing. Quality is truly hit-and-miss anymore.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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Post by hambone » Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:38 am

Every repair that doesn't work. "Is it my fault or the part?". Very frustrating.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

User avatar
Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
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Post by Sluggo » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:38 am

Bad switch. Replaced the switch and then it wouldn't light at all. Tightened up the ground & all is good.

Both brand new, made in Germany, Meyle switches failed within a few weeks. One actually leaked at the terminals! Replaced them with the OG VW switches made in 1976 and things are back to normal. Pitiful! :pukeright:
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

User avatar
hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
Status: Offline

Post by hambone » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:40 am

Wow..made in Germany...this is a disturbing trend that has popped up a few times lately.
What can we do but soldier on? Futz and complain too.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

User avatar
Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
Contact:
Status: Offline

Post by Sluggo » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:01 am

hambone wrote:Wow..made in Germany...this is a disturbing trend that has popped up a few times lately.
What can we do but soldier on? Futz and complain too.
I'll be writing AutoHaus AZ about it.
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

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