I broke the key. GREAT. That’s just awesome. Key broke-off right in the ignition. Oops. I managed to get it out using a thin steel pick, and I have a spare key so we’re good – It doesn’t look like the big box hardware stores can make me a new key, so I might have to call a locksmith. In the mean time, I’ll be more careful!
Also, the driver’s side rear tire lost all air pressure at some point, and I’ve got the bus propped up on the jack. Looks like I’ll need to special order a new tire.
Turn Signals work. Well not really, but it was fun to stay it with so much confidence. The replacement 9-pin relay I ordered from Wolfsburg West arrived, and I happily plugged all of the wire connectors in hoping for the best. When I turned the key and flipped the blinker switch down, the driver’s side turn signal started flashing regularly – Success! When I flip the switch up, the passenger side flashes, but its twice as fast. So not a total success, but still they light up! I’m going to clean/ replace the rest of the connectors to see if that solves the flashing problem.
After testing the turn signals, I pull the emergency flasher switch. Bam! I hear a popping noise and everything shuts off. GREAT. That’s just awesome. Once again, I’m pissed, probably threw a few things around, cursing this dumb bus. I think I blew the brand new 9-pin relay, and in the process fried the rest of the electrical setup. I’m so pissed that I just need to take a break. Stupid bus.
Enter Noelle; when I go back inside and tell her all about my troubles she gives me this weird look and says “did you check the fuses” … I’m like – “um … no”. First off – how the heck does she know about fuses, second off – of course that’s the problem, and as soon as I replace one of the 16amp fuses everything lights up again, third – if she’s so smart why doesn’t she get out there and fix that thing up instead! Anyways, I’m going to keep working on the turn signals, and try to figure out why the emergency flashers are shorting out. Fun times!
Headlights work. That picture above reminds me of some creepy VW nightmare that I’m sure I’ll be having before this thing is up and running. This is another great story of the randomness that has made this project both fun and slightly unnerving. A few hours spent reading the wiring diagram, a while to figure out how everything connects, some more time spent cleaning the relay pins and connectors, hook it all back together and… nothing. no turn signals, no brake lights. The relay clicks regularly when I toggle the turn switch, but nothing lights up. The bulbs are brand new, and as a test, they light up when I touch the vl/ vr wires to the 30 wire coming from the battery. I’m thinking its time to get new relays! Before I cough up the cash for the big 9 pin relay, I was able to find a suitable replacement for the headlight dimmer relay at NAPA.
I bought the headlight relay yesterday, and after another trip or two to NAPA, modified the relay with a wire bridge per the instructions, and installed it in the bus.
When I pulled the switch, I heard a small spark and the driver-side headlight came on. Partial success! The lazy side of me wanted to call it good, but I kept messing with it. As soon as I turned the lights off and tried to turn them on again, I got nothing. I used the test light to make sure the relay was getting power, but the lights wouldn’t come on. I figured the connector head on the wires might be too rusted (even though I cleaned them yesterday), or maybe that spark had fried the relay. Either way I’m a little pissed, and so I do what I do when I get pissed and start banging things around, pushing buttons, and generally throwing a little tantrum. During this episode, I was prodding and poking around with the test light, and accidentally shorted the live 56 wire with the yellow 56a wire leading to the headlights. A big spark this time, and both headlights came on bright. Success! The headlights are now in functioning order. Once again, I have “fixed” something on the bus by bumbling around and getting lucky. At this rate, I’m going to have this bus out on a road near you any day now; just need to get the turn signals working, brake lights, engine generator, windshield wipers, e-brake, and most likely a lot of other things done first. I’ll keep you posted!
