US Light conversion

[Graham L]

Posted this in the sticky above but not sure how many people are watching that so thought I'd post the questions here as well, hopefully to get a response before Action on Saturday

OK, Stupid Questions time.................

it looks like whoever imported hank has never converted Hank to UK spec lights (although he has had 3 MOT's) but his MOT is due next Monday after Action.

I think I understand the rear, I'm going to put orange bulbs in my reverse lamps and run these as the indicators so just need to find the indicator feed and repatch this to the reverse lights, with regards to the stop/tail lamp is it currently 2 seperate bulbs?, when you say run a cable from the master cylinder is the MC under the floor? and do you run the cable internally in the van or externally?

At the front am I right in thinking I need 2 new Sealed Beam units with side lamps in them and I unhook the wire currently feeding the sidelights in the front indicator and hook it to the sidelight feed in the new unit.

It all sounds too simple or am I missing something?

So my shopping list for VW Action looks like:

2 Front Light Units with side light - Heritage?
2 Amber Indicator Bulbs - Heritage?
Suitable length of wire to run length of van

I think I also need new Ball Joints for the front end (rubbers all split and grease everywhere), whos the best people to buy these off? - Heritage again?

 

[faux]

Hi Graham.

Yes it is that simple, though a bit of fun finding the feed for the brake lights. The wire attaches to one of the terminals on the brake switch on the MC (under the cab floor). I ran the wire underneath for ease.

It seems like some MOT testers just accept the US spec with headlight deflectors......how they get away with the red flashers I don't know. But it is worth changing I recon.

 

[Clarkson46]

For headlights, MK1 Golf fit and have all the relevant connections. You will need them complete with mounting frames. If you are using the the reverse lights then they are festoon bulbs and you may struggle to find 21 watt festoons which will be needed to maintain the correct flash rate. I have a diagram that read in conjunction with the US and Euro spec circuits adds hazard flashers, retains the reverse lights, uses a standard 3 pin flasher relay but needs Euro spec rear lights. Converted a 68 Westy doing the above. If you would like a copy of the diagram pm me as it does not reproduce well on here.

 

[Graham L]

OK, had a go at the rear and was part sucessful but just thought I would check, unfortunately no multimeter to hand (left it in Ireland) and the wiring doesn't seem to correspond to the colours quoted.

Managed to find the indicator feed (I think) and got the reverse lights working as indicators and as hazards, still got tail lights and they don't flash, another result but when I get my son to press the brake pedal the indicators come on solid, is this because I haven't run the cable front to back as previously mentioned and suggested?

Do I need to disconnect something at the front to stop the indicators coming on with the brake lights after I've run the cable from front to back?, Presumably the wire I run goes to the connector that the indicator was connected to?

Sorry for the stupid questions again but I've got an MOT on Thursday am and having spent the last hour out in the rain trying to sort this part out I need to know I'm going in the right direction :mrgreen:

 

[robins]

take the wire from the back of the hazards switch off of terminal 54, all the way to the back right side first so they say then the left,connect to the connectors whitch were the indicators,brake lights will work on there own now.

 

[Graham L]

Cheers Robin

Cracked the rear lights tonight and sorted one of the headlights/sidelights etc so well on the way to getting it sorted before Thursday am, hope he doesn't find too much else wrong with him

 

[faux]

Well done, good luck with MOT.

 

[Graham L]

Lights all sorted last night and Hank passed his MOT this morning :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

MOT tester who I've taken all sorts of cars to said he was in good fettle apart from the balljoint rubbers which were listed as an advisory, he said he would have let the US headlights go but would have failed it on the Red indicators so I'm happy I did the work and I think its much safer having orange indicators on the rear (reverse lights with orange bulbs)

Thanks for all the help and assistance, this forum rocks!!

 

[noddy]

Hi

I'm not sure if this is the same on all early US spec bays, I had to disconnect one feed from the emergency flasher switch and tape it up (to stop earthing against body) before I could get my euro spec indicators to work.

I would recommend getting some genuine euro spec rear lights (two bulb holder type) and replacing the US spec, this way you get to keep your reversing lights, you will need complete rear lights lens, seals, chrome surround, and bulb holder. The US tail lights are smaller so you wont be able to use the chrome surround.

Good luck

Ian