As a newby at this 914 thing, I decided to diagnose the headlight wiring to see what was not allowing my headlights to go up and so forth. After testing as per the bird board how to info, I traced it to the head light switch. As some might know, its a tight little hole up in there and shure enough as I went to puill the switch out poof and smoke a bellowing out of the dash like a full blown blaze. The hot wire out of the terminal bolted to the sheet metal was to blame; easy fix. There is a jumper if you can see on the switch which looks kinda strange. Does this wiring look normal to you? I know unplug the battery bla bla bla...way to many hot wires everywhere bla bla bla.........

haha, i was about to say that ...

anyways, looks like some PO "expert" did some "upgrades" to your wiring ...

be afraid, be very, very afraid ...
Andy

I have one JUST like that! lucky for me, I am just stuck with no fogs and hi beams only!
Good luck on yours, I am waiting till the rain starts!

Bummer Dude. How much fried?

I hate the smell of frying wires in the morning, it smells like work.

I was a mile from home one night when I finally got a chance to turn on the high beam, and had the indicator light wire fry. Never did figure out why. Sure disconnected the battery fast.

I drove my car around for 5 years with this before I discovered it. Ended up replacing a whole bunch o' wiring. Insulation was completely burned off one wire, the others in the harness kept it insulated. Lucky the whole car didn't go up in flames...

Scare, me no scare?

Just the small red middle wire on the switch. It fried at the top of the switch and heat stripper all the way to the terminal. It kinda melted the insulation on everything it touched but luckily didn't burn up the harmess. Anyone have a list of wire color/function on the switch I can improvise on?

Past owner was a dirty little prick.

That's why I have McMark going thru my wiring on my new 3.2 conversion.....I SUCK at electricity and it scares me.

Hopefully I can pick it up next week.....

anyways, looks like some PO "expert" did some "upgrades" to your wiring ...

Okay how about an individual left and right light motor upgrade with two single pole double throw swithches that have an auto off return to center detent; one for left and one for right? I say eliminate that 195$ used or 400$+ new switch!!!


How you say, winky winky?

or get a VW switch

b

I heard of that but didn't get enough info to run with it. If ya have the info as the part# and the means to hook it up correctly I would be forever in your dept. Would this be good enough for the head light motor controle or just for the runing lights and dimmers because you need to power them up and power them down through their relays.

Great idea if it works!

You brought up a good point.

I dont know how well it will work/what you'll have to do, I'll look into it.

I hear/understand OUR switches can be rebuilt.

b

Ya, at Pelican Parts, they have a write up in this subject and don't worry, I'll keep this one for parts LOL. Just spotted a 914 about 5 miles from here and it might wind up in my drive soon.LOL I'm trying to keep all the stock stuff I can for one original beauty. Just sensitive that way and thats all the sensitive I wanna get, besides, chics love aholes and I can fake that part, HAaa!!!

THNX