Beetle Ignition Wiring

I just pulled my ignition cylinder (thing) out of the steering column. There are 4 wires on the back, labeled 15, 30, 50 and "P."

I know where 15, 30 and 50 go, but P doesn't show up in my Beetle manual. Any ideas?

OK, I checked every manual I have (even the guy working on the wall across the street - Oops! He's ManuEl!) and I couldn't find anything mentioning a "P" lead.

My only suggestion would be to attach an ohm-meter to that, and also the various other wires, turn the switch to all of it's positions and see where the continuity goes so you'll at least know what it connects to. Then you can decide whether you wish to use that lead or not.

gn

I'm not sure, but I believe that the small wire labled "P" is the "Porsche" wire.

That's reason that it doesn't show up in the Beetle manual: it's only meant for the Speedsters. From what I can tell, it runs down the main wiring bundle towards the rear of the car, but splits off about mid way there and connects to the lower driver's side seat cushion.

It's the reason for that little kick in the A$$ . . . that jolt in the seat of the pants whenever you take the Speedster out for a spin.

:)

TC

Uhhhhhhh.......yeah.......I guess that's it........

The P code is old the new is 57a or C. It's either the first indicator or parking lamp.

I hooked up the volt meter to check continuity, and it showed some pretty strange characteristics. When I inserted the key, it sent a signal to the P wire. When I turned it to the on position, that signal stopped. I couldn't figure out why I would need this, so I just didn't connect it. Thanks for your help though!

Oooooohhhhhhh.......THAT's what it's for!!!!!!

Starting sometime in the early 70's, they installed a buzzer under the dash to tell you when you left your key in the ignition after turning the engine off. Pretty annoying little bugger it was, too....sort-of a screechy thing, and it was (as far as I know) only for the American market (us cheeky Americans need to be reminded about EVERYTHING!)

With a little thoughtfulness, you could use that on your Speedster for a similar purpose, couldn't you?? Put a nice little chime on it or something, or maybe energize your pre-luber before you start the engine, or disable your alarm system - gee, LOTS of things!

gn

Arm the ejector seat, or load the machine guns maybe drop some oil on the road behind you. Wait, not same car...

Could be power to electrical consumers ie headlights/wipers that cuts those consumers off when you try to start, so you don't overload the supply.

If so it would be live when the key is in the 'off' position, then turn off when it's moved to the 'start' position

For reference, the full version of my beetle ignition wiring is:

Red = terminal 30 = power supply to the switch
Red/black = 50 = to the starter solenoid
Black = 15 = power to the coil
Black/ yellow = X = power to electrical consumers ie headlights/wipers that cuts those consumers off when you try to start, so you don't overload the supply

Hope this is useful, perhaps the P is an equivalent of X in this case ?

"(us cheeky Americans need to be reminded about EVERYTHING!)"

I picked up a big Mercury for Robin to travel South in and it comes with a warning buzzer to let you know when you've left the blinkers on . . . WOW, do they ever know their market share. I told her that the little pocket in the door was put there at the factory to hold the handicapped parking placard, and she . . . well, NO she didn't believe a word of it . . .

Remember when one of those old astro-dudes went back up into space in the shuttle? Didn't you expect to see shots of it coming back down with the left blinker still on? Or maybe just idling in orbit . . . blink blink . . . blink blink . . . blink blink . . .

LOL

So US spec switches have a P but no X.

I'd like a P. But I'd like to keep my X too.

Ah well, you can't have it all

I finally got rid of my "X", now I have a speedster, well almost have it.......

"P"