Hi Folks, this is my first time on here so apologies if these questions have been asked many times before (I have searched previous threads but cant find what I need). Anyway, I'm just completing restoration of my first VW, a 1973 Bay. I had a fault with my headlight switch and ordered a new one but the new one has only 6 terminals, where mine has 7 (including the elusive TERMINAL 57). From what I can glean from other threads/sites it looks like I have US spec wiring (it is a RHD bus tho' and never been out of the UK) which includes 'parking lights' and this is what terminal 57 does but I can only find a new EU spec switch. So, question is, what can I do with the extra wire that was on terminal 57? i.e. can I just insulate it and leave it off or would it be better to double it up on one of the other terminals? Or do I definitely need a 7 terminal switch? Any advice greatly appreciated.
57 is for the side light warning light on the dash Its permanently connected inside the switch to 58 that feeds the side lights. If you have a dash warning light (most don’t) just pick it off 58
I thought terminal 57 was a place in the US where UFO's have been spotted! Welcome to TLB by the way.
SUCCESS!! Thanks folks, my new headlight switch (with no terminal 57 and 2 wires on terminal 58) is now in and all is good with the world ................ EVENTUALLY. I got the switch in but FUSE 2 kept blowing and killed my sidelights and right rear light. I was just about to admit defeat again and start a thread called 'FUSE 2 (sequel to the Hurt Locker dya reckon?) But then I sussed it. Whilst getting the headlights off to check the bulbs, I noticed some charring round the terminals and it looks like one of the sidelight wires was shorting to earth ............... probably what fried my original headlight switch. Fixed that and everything is working again. Thanks Matty for your advice on wiring the switch, it worked a treat!!
Goddamn Posties ................. if they're not delivering a load of junk mail, they're messing around with your electrics !!! ;-)
I thought this thread was about @Barry Haynes and his adventures at various airports. Most disappointed.
Ah yes, this got me once before. It’s quite easy to accidentally reverse the polarity of the front side lights, and the fuse takes out both fronts and right rear. The left rear is on a separate fuse though.
^this. The sidelight bulbholders (stupidly) aren't polarised on the terminals, so you can connect them the wrong way round, giving a dead short when you turn the sidelights on. This should pop fuse 1 or 2.