79 baywindow electrical problems

not sure what all is wrong with my bus. its my first one and ive had it for about a week. fuel pump does not come on with the relay but i hot wired it off the bus and it works as it should and the relay has power not sure whats wrong with it.

also i have a hot wire, black, with a male end but nothing to plug into. its just under the voltage regulator on the passenger side of the engine compartment. there is an identical wire on the left side that plugs into a wire that is screwed in about an inch to the firewall side of the closest intake nut. i have no idea what this wire does or if its causing any issues.

i dont have a bentley manual yet or anything other than online info. would really just like to hear from someone first hand. also i live in cartersville if anyone wants to stop by and try to help me figure this one out.

thanks, Kodie

I have an extra Bentley that I would be willing to sell. it is $25. and I can meet you in Calhoun.
KC

That would be great. Pm sent

Keep the faith brother you can fix it

The wire on the left sounds like it is the temerature sensor wire. It should connect to a wire going to the ECU. All ECU wires are white.

The one on the other side that you say is hot is probably for the fresh air fan relay that is on the back of the fan that hangs above the engine. You need to first find the other end and see where it originates to be certain.

While the Bentley is good, here are some items much more helpful;

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/afc_fi_11_1974/AFC_fuel_injection_types_1_and_2_from_november_1974.pdf

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/afc_fi_training_troubleshooting_manual/AFC_FI_Training_Troubleshooting_Manual.pdf

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/fuel_injection_manual_type_3_4/Fuel_Injection_Manual_Type_3_4.pdf

You can also download a wiring diagram in the Technical section on the Samba site

Awesome links. Ill see if those can help me get my bus on the road. . Stuff can be frustrating when you just jump in without any manuals or anything

Flyin down the creek without a paddles headn for the falls

type4revolution wrote:Flyin down the creek without a paddles headn for the falls

no kidding lol. also, idk if this would have anything to do with it, but i need a new key switch. i have to turn my key to the on position then use a hot wire to start the bus. would this cause any kind of issue with the relay?

Yes that could be a problem

This may be a stupid question, but my key fits in the ignition and turns it all the way to start and I get power in the on posistion. But the wires that plug into it have the thick red and black wire cut then there's a skinny black wire that goes directly to the starter to hot wire it. Is there any chance to keep the ignition switch I have or how would I go about fixing this? I just started getting into cars and everything so I'm just learning

All can be tested using the manual I am about to sell you.
LOL.
KC

Yeah just trying to figure out as much as I can before dark lol. I only get so many hours of daylight working in a gravel driveway.

Can anyone tell me what wire I'm looking at. I've tried to figure it out with the diagram but I can't figure it out. There's two red wires from the front of my bus to the starter. The thicker one is wired to the positive side but the thinner one is solid red and just cut and hanging down. Can anyone tell me what this goes to?

That's your ignition wire. It's puts power to the starter when you turn the key.

That's what I was thinking. The guy that had it before me bypassed it somehow and I hooked up a test light and turned the key but I'm not getting any power through that wire. And the starter has power to it all the time with the key out. Would a new key switch remedy not getting power through that small wire?

What you should do is pull your column down. Then check and see if your getting power in and out. You will have a big red wire that runs from the starter up. Black wire running to the fusebox. A smaller red wire that runs back to the starter. The bigger red wire should have power all the time. Black wire when you turn the key. Smaller red wire when you try to start the bus.

Ok the thick red is getting constant power. The black when I turn it on. But I don't see a thin red wire. I do see a solid red one the same size as the red and black that gets constant power. It that the one that needs power when I try to start it?

It should be just alittle smaller than the main red wire. It only shows power when you bump the key to start.

I'm not getting power to that one when I try to start it

More than likely the switch is bad. You have power going into the switch but not out.

You know of the best place to get a new switch or the cheapest place to get one?

I'm not sure but you can ask Justin ( Doodle ) or Kale ( Knumb Knucks ).

Ill send a pm their way. Thanks for the heads up

Anytime.