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Post by commercialair on Apr 30, 2007 10:00:20 GMT -5
OK, we don't have a rants section so I'm calling this advise. The '56 has been running very well. Driving it has been an absolute pleasure over the past few weeks. The only problem that has popped up over it's long winters storage has been dim headlights. Ground issue or resistive connection. Turned out to be both. Anyway, headlights are nice and bright now. So...my advise....check the grounds! especially on a 6V system! Now my rant. In the process of fixing the headlights I managed to; 1: break a post off the bakelight fuse box killing the high beams  2: cause a blinker problem that now renders the bus undriveable.  All and all, not a big deal I guess. Just pisses me off that I managed to fix one problem, set myself up for two more, and now have to wait for elusive 6V parts to arrive before I can drive the bus again. BOO! Chris |
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Post by Milkman on Apr 30, 2007 15:13:31 GMT -5
Sounds about normal! ;D All I did was replace the engine compartment fuel lines on my beetle, replace tune-up parts & install the correct dual carb linkage & it still doesn't run right! 2 steps back wards yet again....
You'll get it sorted out Chris.
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Post by karmann57 on Apr 30, 2007 17:47:08 GMT -5
I think it's just a test to see how commited you are to your VW.
I had a similar issue with the Ghia this past summer. The signals hadn't worked right for awhile (very dim, sporadic). I finally got around to reinstalling an old flasher I had laying around and used a diagram found on The Samba. Once installed they worked better than I've ever seen! Then I decided to clean the bulb connections, got the front drivers side cleaned up and now when you signal left everything is good but signal right and both front lights flash at the same time!
Two steps back indeed...
Shane
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Post by Mowser on Apr 30, 2007 19:55:13 GMT -5
I've been there Commercial Air... it sucks !!!!
Shane,
Clean up the passenger one and I bet your problem will go away. You have a resistive ground on the passenger side. I just went through the exact same thing on my bus. signal right and all was good but when I signaled left both would blink (dimly) I checked the grounding right at the lights and sure enough the left signal wasn't grounding. I used a short piece of wire stripped and soldered on the ends as a test device.
Attach one end to a KNOWN good ground source and hold the other to the assembly. It's simple, effective and doesn't require you to disconnect any wires that can break. If it makes a difference then proceed with the cure.
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Post by karmann57 on Apr 30, 2007 21:29:26 GMT -5
See that's what I don't get, they both worked fine before and I didn't touch the passenger side at all. But thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to give it a shot.  Shane |
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Post by Mowser on Apr 30, 2007 23:26:50 GMT -5
If I had to venture a guess all be it an educated one (I'm an electrician by trade) The reason it happened was BECAUSE you touched the drivers side one. By cleaning the surfaces/ contact/ whatnot, you gave the signal a better path to ground then fighting through the crust on the passenger side.
Simply put electricity always follows the path of least resistance. In this case I'd say there is less resistance for it to ground through the other bulb than to go to chassis on it's own side. It also explains why when it happens the two are at half brightness.
Todd
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Post by karmann57 on May 1, 2007 7:19:08 GMT -5
I guess that makes sense. I try to avoid electrical problems as I normally can't wrap my head around it. Once I have time I'll clean the passenger side and see what happens.
Shane
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ken
NUTTIER than a fruitcake
NUTS Member
Posts: 182
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Post by ken on May 1, 2007 16:50:19 GMT -5
If you are just going to whine about things I suggest you go to www.thesamba.com  Quit being a baby. Luv, Ken |
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Post by Mowser on May 1, 2007 17:30:46 GMT -5
BURNNNNN!!!!!
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Post by 1970bayboy on May 1, 2007 19:07:35 GMT -5
ken does not say much but when he does!  Joby |
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Post by commercialair on May 1, 2007 23:55:20 GMT -5
If you are just going to whine about things I suggest you go to www.thesamba.com Quit being a baby. Luv, Ken Ken, I take back all the bad things I've been saying about you... Thanks for the support buddy! ;D |
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Post by Shayna Jaymie on May 2, 2007 0:42:22 GMT -5
Ken I think you need a nap! ;D
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ken
NUTTIER than a fruitcake
NUTS Member
Posts: 182
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Post by ken on May 3, 2007 23:52:16 GMT -5
You're probably right. I'm still recovering from the weekend you two were here. I can beleive you can make it through the 48 hours of a weekend without at least one nap...  Chirs, I dug up some flasher relays for you if you need them. ken |
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