Turn Signal Issue

[BDR165]

Hello everyone, 1st post with a new to me BDR Cobra, #165. I believe I am the 3rd owner, I know the first owner was a member of this site and posted often.

When I received the car a couple weeks ago everything worked perfectly, signals were all working normally. I wanted to change out the steering wheel to something more classic, and in doing the wheel change I messed with the pin on the backside of the hub for the self cancelling. Long story short The turn signals no longer worked after that point. I ended up finding a blown fuse and sourced it back to the pin on the hub grounding out and blowing the fuses. Fixed that issue and now when I flip the stock either direction both front and rear flash like the hazards were on. In addition the blue light on the dash also flashes with the orange turn signal bulb on the dash. I thought I may have blown up the flasher module so I purchased a replacement, unfortunately that did not change anything.

I am not great with electrical and not sure what could have changed to now make the turn signal no longer function properly. I am stumped, any suggestions?

[spdbrake]

The 4 way flasher when you’re using the turn signals is a short in the power wiring in the turn signal itself. The hi-beams (blue) is also in the turn signal itself.
Those wire traces are exposed and since you were working on the cancel stud and already experienced a blown fuse I suspect it’s protruding to far out of the steering hub.
Loosen the turnsignal set screw to the shaft and slide it forward a bit and retighten. If the issue is resolved it’s the cancel stud.

[BDR165]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

The 4 way flasher when you’re using the turn signals is a short in the power wiring in the turn signal itself. The hi-beams (blue) is also in the turn signal itself.
Those wire traces are exposed and since you were working on the cancel stud and already experienced a blown fuse I suspect it’s protruding to far out of the steering hub.
Loosen the turnsignal set screw to the shaft and slide it forward a bit and retighten. If the issue is resolved it’s the cancel stud.

Thank you for the reply. When I was diagnosing I took the hub completely off the car and it was still doing it, so I am sure it is not the cancel stud. I did spray some lube in there to try to fix as quick as well, could that have done something internally to the unit? My stalk has the high beams on it as well as the turn signals.

[spdbrake]

Unfortunately the 66-67 VW beetle switch assy is getting scarce.

This thread has details on the PN and installation.
turn signal replacement
Although just installing the correct blade / socket connectors in the BDR plug is mucho preferred to dyking the wires.
https://www.amazon.com/Kartuul-0-5-1...%2C111&sr=8-30

The Switch itself PN: SWF W0133-1609437. Not avail thru Backdraft, Rockauto etc...
https://www.iconicparts.com/turn-signal-lever.html
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ical-connector
Parts Geek shows stock
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ical-connector
Also Speedway Motors.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Self-...ns,418733.html

[BDR165]

Update - I was actually able to source a new turn signal stalk a while back and installed it today. Unfortunately it is still doing the same thing. When either the right or left signal is switched both flash as if the hazards were activated. Not sure where to go from here as I have already installed a new stalk and a new flasher unit.

Any ideas of why it would be flashing both sides?

[spdbrake]

Sound like your new stalk could be shorted internally.
Early BDR wiring diagram here:
Disconnect the plug, set your meter to ohms. Connect one lead to the power in pin Grey
Connect the other lead to the Left pin Green. Meter should read OL (open)
Flip the lever to the left. Meter should go to Zero.
Flip the lever to the right. Meter should go OL. If not the fault is in the turn signal assy.

Alternatively the Yellow (right) and Green (left) pins should not have continuity to each other.

You don't perchance have a toggle switch labeled (or unlabeled) hazard? If you do, when its ON it shorts the L-R sides together to give you 4way-flashers. That's how I wired mine.

Only other item I can suggest right now is verify your plug is pinned correctly. https://www.jbugs.com/VW-Tech-Articl...67-Wiring.html

Last question, Is the issue with the Blue and amber dash lights flashing with turn signals still there? or resolved?

[BDR165]

Resurrecting this thread. The problem still exists, however after many hours of diagnosis we finally tracked it down to wiring somewhere between the flasher module for the hazards and the turn signal wiring. When I unplug the connection leading to the harzard light switch the turn signals function as intended. If I plug it back in when clicking the turn signal wiring either right or left triggers the 4 way flashers.

Any ideas where to go next? Could the flasher module itself be fried somehow?

[Kobura]

Sorry I can't help solve your problem. But I just hope that you have chosen having your turn signals work at the cost of not having hazard lights. In the meantime, I can understand that you want to have a fully functioning car that reflects your pride in maintaining it as flawlessly as possible. This is certainly part and parcel of my own pride of ownership of a uniquely rewarding car.