Vw T5 Rear Lights Wiring Diagram

Author Message overthetop
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overthetop is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 7:07 am Post subject: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

My son has a 1968 VW T2 Bay. I believe it was a commercial van � a transporter? It has had a DIY conversion over to a camper and fitted with a 1971 engine. Imported into the UK from the USA in 2010. It has a problem with a blown fuse (F7). I believe this supplies the front side lights, one tail light and the number plate light. Tried a 16A fuse. Blew that! So looks like it has a short somewhere. I downloaded a couple of wiring diagrams for the period. Am I wrong in saying these diagrams are not quite right? Whilst the text talks of brake, stop and tail lights at the back, the diagrams only shows 1 bulb with 2 wires (excluding earths) each side of the vechile. I know the brake/ tail is a twin filament bulb so that would account for 2 wires. The turn bulb would also need a wire. That adds up to 3 wires (excluding earths). Any explanations please? I am yet to see the vehicle�s wiring for myself but would like to start off with some ideas. Help:oops: _________________ Vehicle: 1968 T2 Type2 Early Bus. 1600cc air cooled engine. Panel van converted to Camper.

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busdaddy is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

The twin filament brake/tail bulb is also the turn bulb, when the signal switch is moved to left or right it disconnects that bulb from the brake lights and connects it to the signals. 2 wires and a ground is all it needs, the complicated stuff happens up front at the signal switch and (in your case) the 9 pin relay. I'd look closely at the license light and it's wiring first, it's usually where the short is. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/baybus_6869a.jpg _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style. Wanted, OG paint 1971 Niagara blue decklid. Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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telford dorr is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

1972 US model Lighting Wiring (shows the concept) Brake Lights: Turn Signals: _________________ '71 panel, now with FI 'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others. Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) Last edited by telford dorr on Thu Jun 02, 2016 11:26 am; edited 2 times in total

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kreemoweet is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

Here's how the US-spec turn sig/brake light madness works: _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities '68 bug: seized by the authorities '71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

For 1968~79 VW Type 2s to be legal in Great Britain, they MUST have separate lamps or lamp-sections for the rear direction indicators and they MUST be amber in colour, NOT red! _________________ Regards. Nigel A. Skeet Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain) http://www.vwt2oc.net

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wcfvw69 is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

My 1970 bus had a short located right where busdaddy is suggesting. The rear light harness exits out into the engine compartment and run's up and over the back (rear) of the engine compartment. It's held up there with metal securing clips that are spot welded. Under one of those clips, I found my short. _________________ [email protected] Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience. The Samba member since 2004. Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours 1970 Westfalia Bus 1969 Convertible Bug 1967 Standard Bug

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Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

Is it possible that the madness referred to above by kreemoweet has been superceeded to bring it in line with the statement (UK law) made by NASkeet? That is, an after market conversion kit that does use 2 bulbs. One twin filament bulb 5W/21W for tail/ brake, the other bulb a 21W for indicator. I image a kit that would include new flasher / hazard module and the need to run extra wires, etc. Unless, of course, enthusiastic bay owners do their best to maintain originally whenever possible. _________________ Vehicle: 1968 T2 Type2 Early Bus. 1600cc air cooled engine. Panel van converted to Camper.

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busdaddy is offline

Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

To convert you'd need a pair of Euro style tail lights and have to run a single extra wire for the brake lights, connect the existing rear signal wires to the front circuits and you're done. Shop carefully for Euro lights, there's the real Hella ones, and then there's the China/Brazil repros with the crappy bulb sockets, thin chrome and lenses that fade in a few months. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style. Wanted, OG paint 1971 Niagara blue decklid. Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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NASkeet is offline

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

overthetop wrote:

Is it possible that the madness referred to above by kreemoweet has been superceeded to bring it in line with the statement (UK law) made by NASkeet?

That is, an after market conversion kit that does use 2 bulbs.
One twin filament bulb 5W/21W for tail/ brake, the other bulb a 21W for indicator.

I image a kit that would include new flasher / hazard module and the need to run extra wires, etc.
Unless, of course, enthusiastic bay owners do their best to maintain originally whenever possible.

I am not aware of a kit as such, but I believe several people have had experience of implementing the necessary conversion.

Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > US to UK rear light housing / Brake lights

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295111

Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > US to Euro spec light conversion

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=91574
_________________
Regards.

Nigel A. Skeet

Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper

Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.net

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Tcash is offline

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Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:28 am Post subject: Re: Brake/Tail/Turn Lights - Wiring Diagram Explanation Needed

I have now seen the van and its rear lights wiring. The wiring is in poor condition. It relects the overall state of the vehicle. The rear light clusters are of US spec; however, the vehicle has past UK MOTs in recent years. As my son isn't planning any big restroration I will be tidying up the wiring. Solder new tails to the back of the bulb holders and fit insulated spade connectors. Also add some decent earths. However, I still first need to find the cause of the blown fuse! That can wait till it stops raining and the weather warms up. thanks for all your help. _________________ Vehicle: 1968 T2 Type2 Early Bus. 1600cc air cooled engine. Panel van converted to Camper.