Electrical work on my VW Bus '71: Fix your wires! Volkswagen wiring. 

This is a great video. I just bought a 72 bus, and the guy didnt know what he was doing with the wiring. I am 19 and I was scared to even touch the wires and I was going to get it done by a mechanic, but after watching this I,m going to do it myself! THANK YOu for the motivation and tips.

Another useful tool is a book called how to keep you Volkswagen alive a must have for any vw lover :)

sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to some of the older posts, I guess YT doesn't let me reply to older posts now. Glad the vid helped and/or inspired! I try to respond to posts, but I was locked out of the account for a bit when I forgot the password, lol.

Mind-boggling

hey, glad to give you a bit of motivation. Yes, the second battery is auxiliary for my lights and charging toys. I have a simple relay switch I got on eBay for 99cents attached to it. The alternator was set up before I got it. I have the old generator. The setup had to swap out the alt. stand, fuel pump, and it has an internal regulator. Works well, but accelerator pump arm on carb, rubs on the alt. as it is a bit bigger than the gen. Also, my alt. bearings are already going out. Good luck!

Samba for the 🏆 Win

thanks! I try, hehe. I use red or blue (gauge?) and did not really trouble with color-coding. But I do hear that you can buy individual colors that match the originals! I go outside the harness, and leave burnt wires in place, just unconnected. So, I have to run my red or blue in the body, and they are kinda obvious, if I have to go back. Not necessarily a permanent fix, but a working one. Still have to figure out, my RR tail light is out again, and now parking lights not working. Jiggle fuses?

Congrats! Glad you got 'er done. My ignition switch springs back, if I'm not holding it to crank. Maybe the switch is getting old, needs some love?

You will most likely need a new switch. They can be expensive, unless you can find one at junk yard. Samba has them a bit pricey, but they are original. MidAmerica Motorworks has "universal" ones that will work. The one I got from junk yard, I mended it to work, but plastic had broken, and was worn out, so wouldn't last long. That's when I decided to solder my original one. Hit up some VW shows in your area, and go to the SWAPs. Google "Samba events" to find them by state.

Good work...

Hey I wonder if you can help me out as I'm working on a 75 bay window and finally got it running but the battery is not charging and I'm not sure if I have the starter hooked up right and wondering if you could tell me if all the wires go on the positive side of the starter or if one or more of the wires should be grounded somewhere? Thanks

Did you have trouble with your brake lights? I have a '71 Transporter. The 4 way flashers in the back and the brake lights don't work. The oil light won't come n and the brake warning light on the cask won't go off. I replaced the entire wiring loom and still can't get those problems fixed. Any ideas?Also, when you put the wires back together, instead of using wire nuts and electrical tape, use shrink wrap. You can buy a whole box of different sizes and colors at Harbor Freight for a couple of bucks. It saves space and looks a lot better.Bob from Abington, MA

I need you to do a video of which fuses you went to for your red and yellow Switch and constant wires for your newer radio system. or just tell me. Thats my biggest problem other than my blinkers not working.

Love all your videos, so very helpful. I also have a 71 bus. No turn signals, found some melted wires in the rear that I'm pretty sure are the culprit. What kind of wire did you use for replacement? what do you do about matching colors? Thanks so much for your help!

the bugme video mostly goes over wiring harness replacement. I thought it was good to see how a bug works out, but not really too usefull for a bus owner, besides the basics.

I just bought a 71 VW transporter. the previous owner made it so I have to use the defroster to turn on the car. the radio doesn't work. the lighter ports don't work. and reverse lights don't work. I think the previous owner did something goofy with my wiring. got a lot of work ahead of me.

Nice vid! I was looking at the rats nest of a wiring mess that is my 70 bus. I heard you mention bugme videos...Did the electrical dvd help even though it isnt for a bus? i second what everyone else is saying, your video makes the process seem less intimidating. Thanks!

I hate it when previous VW owners screw with wiring and you get the leftover mess :(

need to fix tail lights how can I go about this? brake lights work fine

hi there! nice video! just in case do you have a link where it shows on HOW to install a second battery, the wiring, relays and anything need it? Thank you AG

Hey i have 71deluxe camper anychance you could send me pic of your voltage regulator wiring

I have a 69 Bus ir needs mad work new cables - &+ & battery and it dosent start: l

Rite on Bratha...

Jesus man that bus should have burned down by now. Get a new loom mate honestly. 🙄