First topic message reminder :

Hi all,

I've go this warning light on the dash, indicating a problem with either the generator or aircooling. I've trouble-shot it down the fuse board to the dash. I'm quite gung-ho and have plumbed to remove the entire dash, I can clean the bug along the way, and learn how she ticks. I've hit a wall though, I can't remove the upper coupling half on the steering column (I might have muddled my jargon, I'm still learning).

It's a 1973 1303 RHD Beetle, here's the pics:-

As you can see, I've removed a few bits already, I just want that last chunk of metal casing off


I'm assuming I don't want to remove that split ring, as it would release the steering column bearings.


As you can see I've removed the 6mm Allen bolt


I'd thought it would just slide off.. it hasn't


Thanks in advance ;>

For anyone interested in this thread, turned out it was a badly installed radio that appeared to be the culprit. Also a couple of bizarre DIY earthing techniques on the fuse block.

Solved --FTW!

Rubbish! No such luck, dash fuse popped again! Back to the drawing board.

This is so frustrating. Having removed the radio there's now a nice access hole behind the dash, so I'm doing some visual inspections, and noticed a disconnected earth cable, I attached that to a spade chassis mount point, and thought just maybe that would have sorted it. Replaced the blown dash fuse, and was about to take a spin down to the Chinese, only I noticed the right taillight has now disappeared; the brake light still works, I used the "other" car that evening. In the morning I wanted to drive to my girfriend's, I jumped into the Beetle, pulled out onto the 141 only to have the dash fuse blow.. again!?! WTF! I can't imagine how anyone ever managed to drive this this without it breaking! (that's another story though).

I'll keep on digging around, and I have to say http://www.vw-resource.com/ is a gift from the gods! Any advise at this point would be appreciated.

Have you removed all that aftermarket blue earth wiring coming from the -ve pole of the battery?

Removed all the after-market blue wiring, it was all to do with the broken rear demister. Also, removed the button panel on the dash, and inspected all the wires round the back there (found out why the fresh air control wasn't working at the same time ; ). It all looked fine, so I wired up another #12 fuse, exactly the same thing happened, not cool :/

Question: There's a chance the dash fuse is only blowing when I use the indicator levers, if that is the case, what's a likely cause of failure, anyone?

I replaced the Flasher Relay, it wasn't that, the dash fuse is still blowing. There's another oddity though, when the emergency flasher is depressed the speedo mounted light stays on permanently, and none of the indicator lights flash, any ideas?

The only thing I could suggest is that you thoroughly check ALL the wiring from fuses no. 8 & 12. (8 is for the emergency flashers, 12 is for your indicators, fuel gauge and instrument lights)

When I say check I mean thoroughly inspect all of the circuit, and make sure that there are no crossed wires, bad earths e.t.c

Hi guys,
you coud have a dead short in your indicator wires.........does it blow when you indicate one way or the other.??? or both

I think I've sussed it this time! Stevo, you were right, it would only blow when I was indicating right, that cut the problem in half. Knowing that the rear lamp fittings have been the only item I've replaced since purchase, I had a double check of them.

Looks like a combination of 2 problems; i) A slight rattle on the earth cable, which I crimped slightly ii) the tail/brake light bulb had a bad plastic casing, which would short the 2 cables together, blowing the dash fuse, so I replaced it.

I've now spent all my spare fuses, and most of the non-spare fuses ... so I can't even go out for a drive to test ;@ ho-hum.

I have to say though, even if that didn't fix the problem, I'm surprised those rear lamps where not of better quality ... never mind.