1973 Westfalia

[ObnoxiousBlue]

May as well start a thread, since I'm sure other questions will arise.

Been tackleing some issues on Carmela's 73.
Started about 2 months ago after her dad paid some hack shop for a stereo install. They installed a second battery in line, and tied the "remote' lead of the amp to a constant on source which of course led to a real fast bleed down of not one - but both batteries.
I got that all sorted out. A new charge relay, new deep cycle battery and fixed the connections to the amp and installed a relay per some instructions on TS to tie the (early style) door buzzer do the amp so all she needs to do is leave the key in the ignition to keep power going to the stereo without the risk of burning her ignition out.
Bhasn't died once since.

It's back over now after getting a Koch 's restored steering wheel. The original (at least the one that was there) was missing about 30% of the plastics/Bakelite and the wire frame was exposed. A few inches of plastic were sliding around like beads on a bracelet and the hub had no plastic around it anymore.
The wheel that was on there didn't want to give up the ghost easily. It fought me, and my steering wheel puller to the end. Some previous owner had clearly hammered on the end of the column and damaged the threads making life difficult. I renamed the threads and got the new wheel installed. Looks great.

Started tracing a horn issue - or lack there of. The wires under the steering box are all disconnected, and the wire in the column clearly has breaks because it is grounding out. That's a project for another day.

Next up is the lack of any reverse lights. The fuse is in place (#11 ) which is also the auto trans kick down, and gauges; so I know it is working. I went to the back to find the fuse holder for the reverse lights and it is entirely MIA. Looks like someone removed it, and also disconnected the rear side markers. The Bentley really focuses on hone manual, and the late model wiring diagrams are very difficult to read. From TS, I understand that there is an automatic reverse switch. A wire goes from the positive side of the coil down to this switch. Then a second tire goes back up to the lights on hone back of the bus.
Glenn, or anyone familiar; can you point me to what this auto reverse switch looks like? I see - what looks to resemble a brake light switch on the drivers side of the trans. A wire goes up over the transmission to the passenger side rear but it enters a loom and I can't see where it goes. It certainly isn't coming to the coil or a fuse holder.

[MrBreeze]

This one?

http://www.busdepot.com/211941521

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I had thought yes. But there is only one wire. Now, (via TS) I've come to understand that the reverse wire may actually come from the front of the bus, under the shift lever.
It would've been easier for her to just learn to drive a stick...

[VwJay]

That sounds to be almost identical to the reverse light wiring and setup of my 67. As they utilized stand alone back up lamps that year. Iits also a very popular way to add back up lights to an older car. t's a plunger type switch that looks very much like a brake light switch but there are some that are taller and more barrel shaped. I have to look but I'm confident mine is two prong/wires. As are all the others I'm familiar with. Should be right on the nose cone of the transaxle. Passenger side if I remember correctly. Every parts source I looked up shows a two prong replacement. But that doesn't mean it's not a one prong switch. Mine also uses the positive side of the coil as a power source. If it's under the shifter that's most likely a simple pressure switch which is commonly used on aftermarket automatic floor shifters.