Finally got into an aircooled ride!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Gooch1971

I haven't had one yet. They came as a package deal when I bought some Fuchs several years ago. I think the previous owner had them on a bug.

Sure you don't need to keep them? I think your little girl would look good in a bug!

Originally Posted by GWN7

"Smells like gas"? Check for wet spots when your looking over the front end. If none, you might need a new gas cap seal.

Its the rubber sections on the filler neck. They are damp and gas running out around them. Already got new bits ordered!

[porsche4life]

Xpost from the samba...

When I got it the turn signals didn't come on, but the indicator light came on when you hit the flashers or a right turn. Looked and the flasher was smoked, so I swapped it thinking it may have gone bad and tried again. This time the right turn would work but flash double time (front rear and indicator) and the flashers would work, but again on only the right side? But after a few minutes of messing it with it the flasher released its magic white smoke and it went to doing the same as the other one. :shock: I was trying to chase the wiring, and someone has been monkeying with it quite a bit. I can only see wires going from the flasher relay to the emergency light switch and the right side turns. None going to the left? Doesn't follow the diagram at all!


The gauge backlights don't come on either. Chasing with a test light it seems that leg of the headlight switch isn't getting hot. Is that a common failure mode of the switch? Guess I need to replace the switch. There are two unused lugs, but they don't seem to be hot.

Oh and and at some point someone had done this to add power for a stereo setup... Scares me to think that I am trying to decipher their wiring now...




I tried to tag it today, but it wouldnt pass emissions. There is an exemption in AZ if you are on collector car insurance. I didn't get that because the first two I tried denied me for being under 25. I applied to Hagerty now, so we shall see. If not I guess I will be swapping the distributor, coil, plugs, wires, etc and trying to get it to pass.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sid, did you check Leland-West? They give a pretty good PCA discount and will allow daily driving the car to work.

[Jim Richards]

Sid, if your NOx was well within spec, maybe you can lean your engine out a bit to reduce CO enough to pass emissions. Make sure you have a clean air filter. Do you have a gas tester? Some people say CRC Guaranteed To Pass Emissions Test Formula is good. I have no first hand experience, so YMMV.

Do you have a good wiring diagram to work with? You might need to go through that rat's nest from stem to stern. Good luck!

[Mark Henry]

One by one remove every connector on the wiring and using a sharp knife scrape the crud off the male end till you see shiny brass. Carefully pinch the female connector with needle nose pliers for a tight fit. Follow all the brown wires to where they ground on the chassis, remove the screw and with sandpaper/knife ensure a clean contact to metal.
Remove all the PO wiring hacks, I'd even remove the stereo till you have the wiring sorted. If it really hacked you will need a good connector crimper and wire, you should get the crimper anyways.

Only use a good colour wiring diagram with an legend, the Bentley manual is the best workbook. I would find a diagram on the net, blow it up, print it and mount it on the wall of the garage.
1969 vw wiring diagram - Yahoo Search Results

If you have the money and your harness is total trash you can buy a new harness.

[VincentVega]

Wow, looks similar to mg MGB

Can you buy a new harness? Might be simpler in the long run.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Wow, looks similar to mg MGB

Can you buy a new harness? Might be simpler in the long run.

C17-WK-113-68-69 - COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS - BEETLE 68-69

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Sid, did you check Leland-West? They give a pretty good PCA discount and will allow daily driving the car to work.

Yup, they turned me down. They will only take you if you have 9yrs driving AND are 25.. Bastards even sent me a rejection email addressed to MS. Johnson.

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Sid, if your NOx was well within spec, maybe you can lean your engine out a bit to reduce CO enough to pass emissions. Make sure you have a clean air filter. Do you have a gas tester? Some people say CRC Guaranteed To Pass Emissions Test Formula is good. I have no first hand experience, so YMMV.

Do you have a good wiring diagram to work with? You might need to go through that rat's nest from stem to stern. Good luck!

Hopefully Hagerty will take me and that won't be a problem...

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

One by one remove every connector on the wiring and using a sharp knife scrape the crud off the male end till you see shiny brass. Carefully pinch the female connector with needle nose pliers for a tight fit. Follow all the brown wires to where they ground on the chassis, remove the screw and with sandpaper/knife ensure a clean contact to metal.
Remove all the PO wiring hacks, I'd even remove the stereo till you have the wiring sorted. If it really hacked you will need a good connector crimper and wire, you should get the crimper anyways.

Only use a good colour wiring diagram with an legend, the Bentley manual is the best workbook. I would find a diagram on the net, blow it up, print it and mount it on the wall of the garage.
1969 vw wiring diagram - Yahoo Search Results

If you have the money and your harness is total trash you can buy a new harness.

Been working off that diagram. May have it printed in a wall decal now.

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

C17-WK-113-68-69 - COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS - BEETLE 68-69

Yup, I've been eyeing that. Very tempting just not sure how much labor would be in getting all the old out and putting the new in.

[GH85Carrera]

Does that new harness have the hookup for the fuel injection, ABS, traction control, and all the airbags ?

It might even has the wiring for the climate control and entertainment center and tire pressure monitoring system.

[porsche4life]

Sure does glen! Got a new tank for the blinker fluid too!

[genrex]

Herbie the love bug!

[porsche4life]

Got it in the garage tonight and parked on top of the lift. Just need to get my power all sorted and I'll get it in the air and check it over more

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

yup, they turned me down. They will only take you if you have 9yrs driving and are 25.. bastards even sent me a rejection email addressed to ms. Johnson.

lol!

[porsche4life]

Looks like hagerty will take me. So I can get a tag without a smog now!

[bt1211]

this link might help

TheSamba.com :: View topic - Failed emission test-Please help

Move that filter away from the coil(and from over the dizzy). That is a common fire hazard in all ACVWs. Some of those aftermarket filters melt easily( then you'll have 2oz of gas over/ near something that makes a spark or runs down to a hot exhaust).Either way..no good for you!!

The good thing about ACVWs is that anything and everything about them has already been worked out. You won't have to be a pioneer.

welcome to the club

[porsche4life]

Yup, already planning to relocate the filter.

Thanks for the smog link, been reading over there already. Hopefully Hagerty will write the insurance though, and I won't have to worry about it!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Sure does glen! Got a new tank for the blinker fluid too!

I friend of mine had a old car with a cracked tail light lens. It would fill up with water and slosh around. He stopped at a parts store and a very young parts counter dude that did not know anything was trying to help my buddy. Mt friend was dressed in in his blue uniform with the name above the pocket, grease stains beat up hands the entire mechanic look was easy for him since he is a mechanic.

Anyway he figures it is time to have fun and asks the kid behind the counter for some blinker fluid. Of course the kid is is puzzled. My friend told him to come outside and look. He point to the turn signal 1/2 full of water and says see, its low and points to the level of water in the turn signal. He then proceeds to tell the kid he was the max performance synthetic fluid not the cheap crap that keeps evaporating.

The kid can't find it in the computer for some reason and asks several of the old timers working there. They all tell him they are busy and to find it himself. My buddy finally broke down into laughter and the entire store was laughing.

I would love to here the kids version of the story.

[porsche4life]

Made hagerty happy by agreeing I wouldn't drive the damn thing to to the grocery store. I'm fine to go out to dinner and have a drink though? Stupid insurance co..

Anyway, got a tag today! Whooo

[Les Paul]

This guy needs his headlight levels checked for sure.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Yup, they turned me down. They will only take you if you have 9yrs driving AND are 25.. Bastards even sent me a rejection email addressed to MS. Johnson.

Sorry, but we won't be able to insure your child driver......