Mystery Switch

OK, I'm stumped. A long time ago I destroyed my headlight switch trying to "fix it". I ordered a 72 bug switch and when it came it wasn't the same as the one I had but I got it to work, kinda. All the lights work, hi beams, ect... but when I turn my lights on the parking lights, along with the headlights, come on and stay on causing the red light on the guage to stay on, which is a little annoying. Anyway, I figured since I'm doing all the little stuff over the winter I'd try to locate a proper replacment switch and I can't find it to save my life.
I only have the pin plate left from my old switch. On it is has 7 brass pins. On the brown plastic plate there is a VW logo, and a few random numbers (58B, 57, 58).
I can find everything BUT 7 pin switches. I think there is one on the Samba that says it's from a 68-79 bus but when I look for a new one it doesn't look like the one on the samba, which leads me to think the samba seller may be mistaken as to what they have.
Is anyone familiar with a 7 pin switch?

This is pretty much what you want.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=415816


It's what I'm using, so you KNOW that it's just GOTTA be good ! !

A lot of the switches offered these days carry an "E" suffix in the part number which I THINK means that they supercede the previous switch.

Luck!

PINS on the switch?

No. Not familiar with that.

As far as I know, ALL VW headlight switches have 1/4" fast-on tab connections. Look at the bottom of the switch in TC's Samba link and you'll see the 1/4" fast-on tabs sticking out the bottom. BTW: That switch should work just fine (same as mine, too.)

The 58, 57, 57B nomenclature refers to the positions of the switch on the VW wiring diagram (actually, they're pretty standard for most European switch functions).

I'm looking at a wiring diagram for a 1972 beetle, and these are the headlight connections:

30: +12V from fuse block

58: To fuse block for Parking lights (front and rear - each is fused)

56: To 56 connection on headlight dimmer switch

58b: To High Beam Light on dash

X: This appears to be a pass-through for +12V which goes to the fuse panel and, in turn, feeds several other things, like wipers, blower motor, etc.

Hope this helps.

Oh!, and I'm using a headlight switch for a 1969 sedan - seems OK. I also have a 1969 headlight dimmer relay and managed to get the original '69 emergency flasher relay to work with everything, too. Those old flasher relays (they look like a pack of cigarettes) are obsolete now, replaced by a cannister flasher with similar connections, but you have to rework the high-beam light to get it to work right.

gn

Welll...It can a bit pricy, but if you keep your eye out for a deal, get a 356 light switch. Porsche light switches have the nice fat chrome bezel.
Mine is next to the start button. You have to thin out the hole on the back side of the dash for it to reach thru but they're niiiiice.
It takes the crimp on bayonet type connectors.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXCELLENT-ORIGINAL-GENUINE-PORSCHE-356-HEADLIGHT-SWITCH_W0QQitemZ360118332757QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081222?IMSfp=TL0812221110008r29592

~WB

That's the one TC! I just emailed the seller.

Gordon,
I was refering to the tabs as pins, sorry. Thanks for all the help.

Mickey - If you don't get the SAMBA one - I'm sure I have extra in garage I can send ya. Would be from a 68-70 T1. I dismatled several bugs for my donor (in my younger days!)

My switch went on the "fritz" as well. When I pulled the switch to all on, I would get dash lights, head lights, running lights and periodically the rears...the reason for replacement. I removed the switch and found mine made by Cole Hersee (spelling may be off). I found the switch at Lorco Autoparts for less than $10. The page I saw in their parts catalogue look like all the switches Henry uses for wipers, ignition etc. Hope this helps.

I just sent the Samba seller payment so I think I'm OK. The tabs are exactly the same pattern as my old switch and with Gordons wiring help it shouldn't be too difficult the get it all sorted out the way it was originally.
I'm still not clear on which year/model the switch is though, is it a 69 T1? If so, I have yet to find a similar picture of one on Cip1 or MAM. I'd kinda like to know so if I run across another I can pick it up.
My set up is 1/2 out for parking lights, all out for headlight, rotate for dash lights dimmer, hi beams are pull of the turnsignal lever.

Let me look around for you, OK?

You'll never find an original antique switch on CIP1 or the rest of the usual suspects, they sell the upgrades and replacements and such. As Gordon pointed out, you're really just going by the numbers here, the positioning of those numbered spades will vary slightly (and sometimes there are additional spades with bridging wires on them and all) but the switches all do the same simple thing.

When I find a stash of decent seven spade switches, I grab up a couple for you. At least you have that nice one for now.

TC

Got my switch in the mail yesterday. It's nice and clean and ready to be put in when I get to it in the next week or so. It has "73 Bug" written in marker on it, but as mentioned before, the new OEM 73 bug switches I looked at weren't the same.

TC,
If you come across that kind of switch I'll take it, I don't want to have to go through finding another if this one breaks.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D113%2D941%2D531%2DE


I just bought one

bt,
That one has 8 pins. That was my problem, I couldn't find one with 7. I guess they've made alterations to the orignal and you have to join certain wires ect.... I don't know?

Looky what I found..... It shows where the wires go on a headlight switch for Bugs and Ghias

http://www.airheadparts.com/articles/headlight_switch_wiring.pdf

the 7 spade switch (that TC posted) if you look closely the 3 spades that are paralell(sp) to each other, appear to be all connected.

I have a 6 spade in my hand and its just like a 7 spade but instead of the 3 spade paralell it only has 2 spade and both of those are connect in the same way as the 3 in TC's pic.

When you get your switch can you post a clear pic?



On the NON VW switchs the spades are not marked, How do you know where to put the wires?