Don't know what happened- I also had lost my dash lights earlier, put in a new #7 fuse then o.k. then about 30 minutes later I ooze all that stuff and the center console everything - volt meter oil temp gauge and a/f meter all out- what to check first!

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Voltage while running is 13.5, -

Could this be an ignition switch going ( no issue starting) , or a bad light switch? Or a short at the tachometer?.

this thread for solutions. I'm chasing an electrical problem also. Number 9 fuse blows; alt light comes on; step on the brakes and the tach, and gauges die.

And no signal lights.

Relay?
I don't have my book so I don't have much info to trouble shoot this.

My alternator light is on as well but it is charging .

cig lighter/fan/wipers/horn all dead also?

It's still a fuse. Remove each fuse and inspect.

--DD

Just a WAG but could one of the RED wires on the battery terminal be broken off?

Yes

Yes horn, Wipers , blinkers all gone, but
When I brake, the gas gauge goes far left and the tach drops . Same happens when wipers or signal is used.

Dave you were correct!
When you suggested this I dug out my tech tips book- page 81 #611 : if the alternator light glows and the tach needle drops when applying the brakes this is a loose fuse #9, "

So I went back out to check this and it looked normal and in place but the top of the fuse was not in position tight! Once adjusted all is well. SO! I am definitely going to replace this fuse panel this weekend!!!!

along this line, i have a question about the fresh air fan connection. my understanding is that is should be on the #9fuse circuit, but when i turn this fan on either low or high(only works on medium-but still goes slow) it will blow the fuse- but #8 not 9. so while i am doing the new fuse board, can i just trace the main power wire from the fan controls to the board or is there a power wire to the fan itsself? - i remember reading that the controls are just a ground circuit to relay to the fan and complete a circuit that would then drive the fan the proper speed. if so i have to figure out which wire is the fan wire because id like to get it put back to the correct circuit i have to assume a P.O. messed this up at some point .
So any suggestions on trouble shooting this would be appreciated.

Unbolt the control and pull it out far enough to inspect the contacts. If they look like this one it could be your problem. Also not the raised plastic between the second and third contact. I have seen this happen and raise the sliding contact and making high speed inoperative. Also check the ground wire from the control to the body under the dash.

Unbolt the control and pull it out far enough to inspect the contacts. If they look like this one it could be your problem. Also not the raised plastic between the second and third contact. I have seen this happen and raise the sliding contact and making high speed inoperative. Also check the ground wire from the control to the body under the dash.

The contacts look fine, clean no warping of plastic like that. I also switched the wires around and still only the wire connected in center will work so it must be the controller. I need to get a different controller that is known to work in all 3 positions to try and that would help with my trouble shooting.
I have a second fresh air box I am going to bench test As well

And this is why I love this site... Driving to work this morning, my alt light came on, tach started acting funny and would drop to 0 when brakes were applied, plus other electrical glitches.
Drove home after work, did a search, and found my answer in under 5 minutes
Checked fuse #9 and, sure enough, it was bad. The metal piece fell right out!
Replaced the fuse and back in business

It was such a problem area that the Beetle's mentioned it on "The White Album"; number 9, number9,. number9................

Awesome.
After that happened to me I decided to finally replace my board with the new one with blade fuses