When chasing down an electrical problem on a used vw bug, the task is greatly simplified by a few bits of knowledge.

First, where electricity is concerned, cleaner is better. Wires and ground lugs (especially ground lugs) need to make clean, clear, direct, metal to metal contact. Be clear, there is no substitute for really clean, oil free, bright, dry, shiny metal contact.

After contact is made and is securely insured, then you can slather the connection in grease. The grease will keep air, moisture and any other foreign goop from getting into the joint, degrading it.

This is especially good on battery terminals. Because of the high currents involved in that connection, it is a really good thing if it is a good connection. Battery terminals that have been greased after a good connection is made may appear to collect more dirt, but they are clean where it counts.

Second, the VW wiring system is simple enough that nobody should feel scared off. Trust me, there are *many* cars with *much* more complicated wiring schemes.

Not as much can go wrong with a simpler neighborhood. It’s like the electrons have trouble getting lost with fewer places to go.

The origin style wring harness is really simple, even with the refinements of a solid state regulator and an alternator. And the good news is you don’t have to be Einstein to figure out a bad light or crimped wire.

All electrical appliances on a VW have two wires, positive and negative. The positive is usually red or another bright color. Negative is usually black or another dark color.

With an ignition test light (yes, the same one the Idiot’s book suggests for setting the car’s timing statically), you can test to see if a wire is ‘hot’ (has voltage). A ‘hot’ wire and a good ground (negative, see above for details) is usually all that’s needed for a light or radio (or most other electrical items on a VW).

If there is a switch involved (for example a switch on the break pedal works the car’s brake lights), the switch must work, too. Again, the test light is ideal for this type of on or off operation.

The test light even works in situations like the horn, where it is the negative wire that is switched on or off to work the appliance (in this case, horn).

Go confidently forward and fix electrical problems on your VW beetle. It’s really not that hard!

1966 vw volkswagen bug beetle 90mph speedometer speedo, volkswagen beetle classic bug 1962 volkswagen bug ragtop stock € 50 years old this year, 1960 vw volkswagen bug beetle 80mph speedometer speedo, main street vw beetle kombi car norristown pa postcard, volkswagen bug hotwheels vw volkswagon target only, 199811 vw beetle 4pc custom carpeted floormats with 8 grommets, 1999 volkswagen beetle cluster oem d6c36, 1999 volkswagen beetle cluster oem d6c35, vw beetle 9805 halo rim projector headlights chrome, vw beetle karmann trans headlight dimmer switch 5066, empi 3216 intake manifold boot clamps large vw bug ghia, vw bug door striker plate 68 79 yr 111 837 035d 036d, vw beetle squareback trans headlight dimmer relay 6781, avon volkswagen beetle 4oz wild country after shave, volkswagen beetle coolant hose flange 20l4 19982005, volkswagen bug hotwheels redlines vw volkswagon, trunk hatch lid vw beetle 98 99 00 01 02 1998 1999 2000, lock engine lid vw bug 1967 to 1971 used, hotwheels original usbrown vw bug, volkswagen bug hotwheels vw volkswagon , 1998 2005 volkswagen beetle third brake light oem new, 66 73 vw beetle round pro headlights, high power led lights drl vw beetle classic or new, 2008 hot wheels volswagen series 1 of 4 volkswagen beetle black moc, 98 99 00 01 02 vw beetle trunkhatchtailgate, 98 99 00 01 vw beetle engine 20l eng id aeg vin a b, vw type 1 bug ghia ball joint disc brake kit 5x205 empi, vw heads 40x355 hiperf set sand rail bug ghia oval port new single spring, hot wheels vw bug white interior tinted windows sp5 wheels malaysia 1999, hot wheels vw bug green interior clear windows sp7 wheels malaysia 1996, 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 vw beetle power brake booster, hot wheels vw bug black interior clear windows sp5 wheels malaysia 1997, hot wheels vw bug black interior blue tinted windows ho5 wheels malaysia 1998, vw beetle inspired silver plated chain necklace ok, 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 vw beetle harmonic balancer, nos taillight housing vw bug 1968 to 1969 113945096, 196267 vw beetle tank gauge used, empi 8506 vw bug billet style door lock pulls, frontrear kit brake padsrotors ceramic advanced for 0609 vw beetle k39887, vw type1 bug ghia link pin disc brake kit 5x205 empi, key blank volkswagen beetle karmann ghia 1966 71, hot wheels volkswagon vw bug collection, 98 99 00 01 vw beetle air flow meter 18l turbo, petri steering wheel horn ring vw bug beetle 1200 kfer, vw licence dplate set split oval kfer cox bug nos, helphos vw water accessory split oval bug cox beetle, 1967 vw bug volkswagen beetle diecast toy model car 118 ss ltd 9in cream solid, 196071 vw beetle horn ring nos, 0203 vw beetle seat belt wsrs each, volkswagen beetle concept 1 convertible blue white int white wheels new loose, tyc 98 99 00 01 vw beetle head light lamp lh gl gls lh, custom autosound usa630 1950 50 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1951 51 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, universal oil cooler 24 plate vw sandrail bug beetle buggy sand rail dunebuggy, custom autosound usa630 1952 52 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1953 53 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1954 54 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1955 55 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1956 56 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, 9805 volkswagen beetle chrome clear tail lights left right rear lamps assembly, custom autosound usa630 1957 57 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, volkswagen beetle 20l 2002 2003 catalytic converter, volkswagen beetle 20l 1998 1999 catalytic converter, volkswagen beetle 20l 2000 2001 catalytic converter, vw bug door striker plate left side 60 66 yr 111 837 035b, lot of 8 classic vw bug beetle trim parts for dashglovebox radio ashtray etc, 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 vw beetle r axle shaft 20l mt, hot wheels 2001 hw vw bug volkswagen bug loose lower shipping loose single cars, custom autosound usa630 1958 58 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, volkswagen bug hotwheels vw volkswagon, 1999 vw beetle motor trend feb 1999, vw bug door striker plate right side 60 66 yr 111 837 036b, porsche cayenne vw beetle golf jetta rabbit phaeton bosch mass air flow sensor , custom autosound usa630 1959 59 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, custom autosound usa630 1960 60 volkswagen bug beetle stereo radio mp3 usb in, volkswagen beetle 19l 1998 1999 catalytic converter, volkswagen beetle 19l 2002 2003 catalytic converter, volkswagen beetle 19l 2000 2001 catalytic converter
Return to used vw bug for sale

The VW Beetle Convertible is a great head turner.  Coupled with the wind in your hair, the panoramic view, the head turning effect and the sheer coolness of riding in a rare antique car, you have a truly great automobile.

A VW convertible is much more practical than many other convertibles since the convertible top is more than simply a sheet of canvas.  It is a few inches thick with insulation.  That’s right, VW convertible tops are actually warm.

The tops are also simple to raise and lower, unlike some other convertible tops.  The window on the back of the convertible top is a glass affair.  Not the clear plastic that many tops have.  The glass window is, well, glass clear.

VW convertibles are so rare because they tend to act like a fishbowl when the top is left down and rain happens.  Therefore, they generally did not last.  Remember, the VW beetle has a mostly air tight passenger compartment.

The chassis is more rigid than the standard beetle.  Remember, the car had to perform without a roof.  The roof on the standard beetle provides a lot of chassis strength.  All this beefing up added more weight to the finished car.

These cars have a beefed up floor section for needed car rigidity.

Certainly one of these convertible beauties is a parade staple.  If the car has a modified motor and is a lot faster than originally equipped, it is definitely a parade staple.  The throaty exhaust makes it’s presence known.

There is no shortage of spare parts for such a jewel.  Indeed, it is probably a matter of pride to be buying parts for this car.

More than just beetles were available as convertibles.  The Karmann Ghia was also available as a convertible.  The Karmann Ghia was a bug all dressed up.  Add the convertible top and you have a real winner.

Here’s a nice Karmann Ghia:

The VW beetle convertible was made from 1949 to 1980.  There is a different range of dates for different countries.

The convertible is different from the sun roof.  The convertible is/was a true convertible, ie the entire roof folds down.  The sunroof was an opening in the roof that folds back only.

The VW convertible was built by the Karmann plant – not the VW company.  The convertible was a special version of the VW beetle.  The VW plant would supply the base automobile and Karmann would do the
rest.  This explains the VW quality throughout the car.  It was there from the start.

The convertible outlasted the hard-top sedan by a few years, a testament to it’s endearing nature.

It’s metal dash, lack of air bags, sealed beam headlights, use of leaded gas and many other things too numerous to mention add to it’s signature of days gone by.

The older models had glass covers over the headlights, the newer ones did not.  The extra curvey fenders and glass cover made the older ones more sedate and classier.

I remember that one of my brothers cut the leg from a bull on a beer can and replaced the speedometer needle with the leg.  It was cool to look at.

The running boards were not on cars of the 1960s and 1970s but imparted a level of classiness to the VW beetle convertible.  The running boards were definitely throwbacks to an earlier time but served a very practical purpose.  The channel under the running board was a channel for the heater.  The heat came from the engine compartment and was routed to the front of the car.

As an example of the car’s utility and clever use of resources, the umph for the windshield washer came from the compressed air in the spare tire.  The switch on the dash was actually a valve that opened the air pressure to the washer water, it just looked like an ordinary dashboard switch.

A great car that was made better by the addition of a graceful removable top by Herr Karmann, the VW beetle convertible is a great and very memorable car.

VW Beetle Convertible Listings Show Here When Available>>>>>>>

red vw volkswagen bug convertable card by noriko, vw key rack coat hook leash convertable car beetle bug , volkswagen beetlenew 2dr converti 2003 vw beetle convertable 5 speed 85k low miles, 2005 hot wheels classics vw bug convertable, keychain1960s vw karmann ghia convertablegloss red wchrome magsbumpers, 1959 vw beetle huge 14 page brochure sun roof convertable, turbo manifold audi a4 vw passat longitudinal highflow gls gl a4 convertable, volkswagen van vw convertable trailer die cast set 125 die cast new maisto, 1989 may hot vws magazine 1963 convertable resto 1600 off roaders beach bug, turbo manifold vw golf jetta beetle leontt transversehf gti gl gli convertable, 9301 vw cabrio convertable creamwhite leather door panel nice , vw convertable beetle rear window glass 62 74 151845501e nos vw original, 196577vw beetle197379 beetle convertable sun visors black, pink convertable barbie bug car beetle vw

Chances are you’re already a vw beetle fan.  What I love about the beetle is it’s the most versatile car ever sold on the North American continent.  With it’s air cooled nature, it needed no radiator;  partly because it’s body style is so simple, it practically invites restoration and modification.

This car is not sold new in this market today for various reasons.  No airbags, lots of air pollution from the unique motor for starters.  But you can still find restoration parts at various places online.

Separating the VW body from it’s chassis was a simple affair. There were a few items that tied the car’s bottom to it’s top. Things like the electrical wiring, the steering wheel and assorted odds and ends on the dashboard. But aside from these items, that was about it.

If you want more fun, the motor is removed with only four (4) bolts.  Since the motor is  air cooled,  it’s self contained.

There were many ‘kit car’ replacement bodies offered for sale.   For the most part, you  unbolt and remove the VW bug body leaving the motor and running gear and bolt on the new body.

The VW squareback was the world’s first production car to have electronic fuel injection as standard equipment. In 1968, no less. Yes, there were several other cars that had fuel injection, a few even had electronic fuel injection. But no manufacturer had the confidence to offer it as standard equipment.

And finding parts for a VW squareback is relatively simple these days, I usually look at online auction sites first to get an idea on prices.  I do enjoy sites that show step by step rebuilds, it’s fun to watch their progress especially when details are given.   VW Bug Parts is another parts site also.

And there’s nothing like a decent ragtop restore job:

There are several vw resources that have been on the net for years. Making it easy to get the info you need to make sure the volkswagen rebuild part you are buying is the correct one. A lot of vw enthusiasts explain procedures in detail which makes the job a whole lot easier. Finding a VW Bug for sale at the right price is a great feeling.

volkswagen beetle classic convertible 1958 vw bug convertible brand new frame up restoration, volkswagen beetle classic 1970 vw volkswagen beetleclassic bug4spdcomplete restoration39k, vw beetle and transporter restoration manual new, vw beetle bug bus speedo restoration bulb holder ba7s pre 1959 oval t1 split 356, vw beetle bug sticker set decals for restoration, vw beetle 195478 transporter bus restoration manual, vw beetle bug originality restoration guide 19491959 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 , forest home ojai valley restoration 09 vw bug event white tshirt medium , vw beetle and transporter restoration manual new e, vw bug super beetle sandrail dunebuggy restoration book, complete vw beetle restoration guide 19532003, vw beetle transporter guide to purchase diy restoration foulis motorin, restoration door seal kit for 196568 vw volkswagen bug, restoration door seal kit for 196877 vw volkswagen bug, empi 111073 vw bug buggy restoration book, complete vw beetle restoration manual 19532003, vw super beetle bug restoration book 71 72 73 74 volkswagen guide manual rebuild, ultra vw uk december 2011 100th issue ned bug gasser barndoor restoration, 19491967 volkswagen vw beetle bug restoration guide out of print, restoration door seal kit for 195264 vw volkswagen bug, haynes vw beetle t1 transporter t2 bus camper panel van restoration manual resto, how to restore the volkswagen beetle vw bug restoration, vw beetle restoration handbook how to restore 19491967 vw beetles to, vw volkswagen bug beetle restoration decals sticker, vw beetle transporter haynes how to purchase diy restoration guide xlnt, volkswagen beetle vw buyers guide restoration manual, vw beetle transporter restoration manual book, vw beetle transporter haynes restoration manual nof474, volkswagen beetle transporter guidepurchase doityourself restorationlin