Author Topic: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission  (Read 3560 times)

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Offline neil68

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reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« on: March 05, 2015, 07:45:55 PM »
Transmission gurus:

Quick question - when installing the reverse lights switch on a Type 1 transmission, is there a spacer or shim that goes on first, in order to ensure that the switch will be activated properly by the fork (or whatever part triggers the connection)?

I'm installing a switch to a transmission that has the outlet blanked off, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Thanks!
Neil
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
'68 Beetle 2332 cc
12.6 sec at 109 mph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2gCti3dro

Offline Bruce

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2015, 03:52:46 PM »
There's an aluminum sealing washer between the switch and the nose cone.  It is absolutely required.  If you install the switch without, it will prevent full engagement of reverse.  This will destroy both the reverse idler gear and the 1-2 slider in very short order.

Offline neil68

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2015, 10:37:01 PM »
Thanks, Bruce. There was a thick aluminum washer (~2 mm) on the blank bolt from Rancho, so I assume that should work.
Neil
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
'68 Beetle 2332 cc
12.6 sec at 109 mph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2gCti3dro

Offline Bruce

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2015, 03:42:39 PM »
That's the right part.

Offline neil68

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Re: reverse lights switch - engine dies in reverse
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2015, 08:15:02 PM »
So, I finally got ready to test drive the Beetle, after some work on the engine tin and header.  However, now when I shift into reverse, the engine quits.

Do the two wires on the "reverse light" switch have to be on specific poles?  I have the power coming from the positive side of the coil, through the in-line fuse on the shroud.

Any electrical gurus out there with a suggestion?

Thanks.
Neil
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
'68 Beetle 2332 cc
12.6 sec at 109 mph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2gCti3dro

Offline neil68

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2015, 11:50:31 PM »
It looks like the culprit is the stock power wire from the coil.  With the MSD 6AL, apparently you cannot run any other wires to the coil.  I'll have to power the reverse lights somewhere else...maybe just from the battery.
Neil
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
'68 Beetle 2332 cc
12.6 sec at 109 mph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2gCti3dro

Offline Bruce

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2015, 01:41:05 AM »
In a stock engine, when the engine quits when you shift into reverse, it means you hooked up the power wire for the lights to the negative side of the coil.  Since the back-up light cct is effectively a short to ground, it kills the engine.
Power the reverse lights on the + side of the coil.

I don't see why the MSD would be any different unless the 12V feed to the coil doesn't come from the ignition switch.

Offline neil68

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2015, 09:44:52 AM »
I found the issue from MSD's instructions. I had forgotten about this:

"Next, lets review the coil wiring. The ONLY two wires that should be connected to the coil are from the MSD. The orange wire connects to coil positive while the black wire connects to the negative terminal. No other wires should be connected to the coil terminals! Also, do not touch or connect any tools to the coil. With the MSD connected there will NOT be voltage on the coil terminals unless the engine is running – and in that case there will be over 450 volts due to the CD technology of the ignition. Again, the only two wires connected to the coil are the MSD Orange, positive, and the MSD Black, negative."

I guess I'll have to find an alternate power source. Don't want to risk getting a traffic ticket!
Neil
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
'68 Beetle 2332 cc
12.6 sec at 109 mph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2gCti3dro

Offline Bruce

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Re: reverse lights switch on Beetle transmission
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2015, 10:42:58 AM »
What about the power wire feeding the MSD box from the ignition switch?

Check your laws.  I don't think back-up lights are a requirement.