Home away from Home, on wheels.

[Tom]

Keep your fire extinguisher handy.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

For what? The relay? It's all plug and play. The column on my 77 is the same as a 78... Has the same wiper switch, and the same wiper motor. There is even an empty space for it in the relay panel.
You're next question, is why would VW use a switch with the ability to do intermittent wipers, but not actually install the rest of the system?
Answer: The late bay, and the Porsche's used the same switch.
in 1978, VW used intermittent wipers as a feature on the CE. So, with the harness from the CE, you can add the circuit to any 75+ bay. It has two plugs, two grounds and the five wires that plug into the relay. Each is color coded and there are many diagrams on TS about which color wire goes to which post.

Should be easy.

I just figure, while I have all this apart its the time to repair the dead spot on my horn ring, repair the directional cancel, replace a missing spring and sleeve, and such.

[Glenn]

The wiper switch on my 74 Beetle has a spare spot up from off. It's the same switch used on the Porsche 914 which has a intermittent wiper feature.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same switch in my bus. I was thrilled.
More than anything I can't wait to try it out. Usually, I just turn the wipers on, and off... as if I had intermittent wipers! LOL

[ObnoxiousBlue]

New Reg came today. Bus is now, again, 8637 BJN

[brucerodz]

Nice ! Hey,,,looks the regi expires on me bday!

[Brown]

Nice ! Hey,,,looks the regi expires on me bday!

No! That is my birthday!!!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Where the hell is the Roo Bar ? We haven't seen or heard anything in a while.

Should be going in for powder tomorrow.
I have to head down that way for work, so I may well drop this off on my way.

I was hoping to do the bumpers all at once, but other things need my attention, and the bus has gotten ALOT of my attention (read $$) lately. So I'll do the Roo now, just so I can get it back on the bus.and the rest in a couple weeks.

[Tom]

Nice ! Hey,,,looks the regi expires on me bday!

No! That is my birthday!!!

No, that's my daughters birthday.

[Brown]

Nice ! Hey,,,looks the regi expires on me bday!

No! That is my birthday!!!

No, that's my daughters birthday.

Sounds like the making if a PARTY! Your house, wat time?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I'd totally be that guy to host a "my regi is about to expire party" look for details come August lol

[brucerodz]

I'd totally be that guy to host a "my regi is about to expire party" look for details come August lol

Might be a good reason to finally get back to the Island. lol

[Brown]

I'd totally be that guy to host a "my regi is about to expire party" look for details come August lol

Might be a good reason to finally get back to the Island. lol

That's the spirit!

[Big_kid]

It took LIAR & A family reunion to get me back up there!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

After work, I got into the garage for a bit. Got the switches installed back onto the column, and got the steering wheel mounted back on. Had a bit of an issue with the horn button.

In this order:
Column with the spring on the center
Steering wheel
(Inside the wheel)
Three horn pad springs
Then the silver horn contact ring with the three screws
Horn button

I still find that I have to push the button slowly, and very deliberately to activate the horn. While the dead spot is gone, it's not "push the button and get the horn" sort of simple.

Also, the three screws with the shoulders that go through the springs are bottomed out. So I find that the horn button needs to be pushed straight down, maybe this is contributing to my issue?

Tomorrow, I'll put the wiring all back in its place, and wait for my new relay to come.

Then, maybe a joy ride?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Waxed the bus today, in between hoping on and off the Baja with Ian, who was working on getting the engine out.
Also, put new connectors on my horn, and mounted the new tags.
Was hoping to do the rag joint, but wanted to read up a bit more in the Bentley.
Perhaps tomorrow.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Sorted through my washer switch's "sticking" issues. Recently, had to rewire from the switch to the pump, and found that occasionally the switch would get stuck leaving the new pump running.
Took it apart today, and found that in addition to the "lever" that closes the pump circuit sticking, that the springs which should be in the lever were missing.
I removed the whole switch, and did the "electric conversion" from scratch. Kinda had to reengineer it a bit, as the switch wasnt intended to hande electric washers, and the PO's original mod had worn to the point of failure.
I also added a spring here:

(Sorry, no after pics)
There's also a couple springs, one which holds pressure on the slider that makes contact across the inside of the switches, and two that hold pressure "upward" to help return the lever to the "off" position.
I had difficulty holding the four springs in place while assembling the switch. I used a TINY bit of hot glue to seat the base of each spring just so I could assemble it all.
Now, it's all working great. Wipers, both speeds, with the off position, and washer which turns on when it's called for, and returns to off when it should.

Then, I did my steering coupler.

[Raj]

Great work mike. Did you say your steering coupler was cracked?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Yeah, it's been chipped. One of the corners cracked, but the metal pressing was holding it in place. Well, that and the thre other bolts. Thing is, the coupler is there to isolate the steering column from the body/steering box. So, two bolts go through the steering column, to the coupler. Then, 90* off that, there are two bolts that go from the coupler to the steering box.
I replaced the grounding wire for the horn, and used all new hardware.
You'll see in the pic, that in missing a screw for the access plate cover.
One of the screws was stripped/seized. Looked like someone from the bus's previous life had tried to get here before. I drilled out the hole, and will put a new bolt through the floor where there used to be a captive nut. I'll probably drill out the other side too, just so they match.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Finally broke down and bought new batteries. It wasn't easy to part with that much coin, for something that is never seen, but always used.
Bought two Optima Yellow Tops.
Also, had to replace the ground strap under the rear bench for the leisure battery. Not thrilled with the condition of the connectors on the starting battery but I'll deal with that after Englishtown this weekend.
My old battery was held down only with a bungee, and had the lid of a battery box over the top to protect it.
I replaced that with a new battery box. I fastened the box to the wood floor of the under-bench compartment, put the battery in, and made the connections.

[Tom]

You have sidepost cables on the bus ?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

No, certain series Optimas only come in a universal configuration. I was told to pick a battery that closest matched the physical size, and CCA that I needed. Of the Optima Yellows, this was the best physical fit. But it only comes in dual post set up. It has top and side posts. I kept the seals on the side posts, and used the top posts.
They also come with base adapters to the factory battery clamp still worked.

[Big_kid]

Having dual posts is always handy, I buy those whenever I can.

[BusBq Bill]

Always good to have extra terminals especially on a deep cycle battery. more toys you can hook up.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

After everything, up to and including a $400+ battery purchase...

Went today to replace the battery cables as mine were in sorry shape, and the + on the starting battery was quite frayed. Bought a new 48", 4g, red cable, and a 12", 6 g black. I also bought covers for the terminals to help prevent water from corroding the terminals.

Went to remove the nut on the back of the starter solenoid, and "crack" the bolt just started spinning inside the starter.

Hoping to get a new starter tomorrow, else I might miss ETown. "Season opener" wouldn't be quite as fun sans bus. :-/

Of course, right in the middle of the project the phone rings and back to work I went.
I gotta say, I don't think I've ever worked so much...
Nice to pay off some debts, wish I had more in my pocket though..