[T3] Electrical Cable

[Jim Adney]

On 31 Mar 2013 at 4:21, Paul Taylor wrote:

> In reinstalling the driver's seat in my 1970 Fastback, I must have
> disloged two electrical cables that run alongside the centre console
> and have now come loose. One is from the front of the car, running
> towards the rear but ends near the gearbox (mine is Auto) in a
> connector. The other runs from rear towards the front and also ends
> near the gearbox, again with a connector. 

Hi Paul,

I didn't catch the Aussy location, so I was puzzled by why these 
wires would get disturbed when you removed the driver's seat. Thanks 
to Dave, now I understand.

I suspect Dave is right, that you mean the gear selector lever rather 
than the gearbox. There is a switch under the lever cover, called the 
Neutral Safety Switch (NSS.) Only AT cars have this. On your '70, 
this keeps the starter from running except in N. Your 2 wires 
probably connected to the 2 sides of this switch.  

If the wires are red, they are the ones that operate the starter. If 
they are a different color, they operate the backup lights. Both go 
to the NSS.

To reach the switch, you have to get the plastic cover off the 
selector. This is tricky, because there are 2 lights under there that 
will keep this from coming off, and if you force things, you'll break 
the plastic piece that has the PRND21 label on it. 

Sorry, but I don't remember the details of how to get this apart 
safely. First you must remove the shift knob and the 2 screws that 
secure the cover then carefully work the cover upward. The 2 lights 
face upwards but forward and rear at angles, so they don't come out 
easily. It may be necessary to undo them from the PRND21 label to get 
clearance. If so, you would only have to remove one. They undo by 
rotating 1/4 turn CCW (or CW as viewed from above.) At some point it 
will also be necessary to disconnect some of the lighting wires to 
allow the cover to come completely free.

It's a real fiddly bit to take apart and get back together, but it's 
possible to do it without damage if you're careful and don't get in a 
hurry.

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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