[T3] Wiring Harness Thoughts

[Dennis Stiefel]

> Many years ago the wiring under my dash started to burn, so I put it out
> using a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
> Thar stuff is nasty and corrodes bare metal.
> Over time I have been trying to clean connectors and such at every
> opportunity.
> The turn signals sometimes work, sometimes don't.
> I installed the rebuilt speedometer a couple of weeks ago (Thanks Jim) and
> afterwards, some lights work, some don't.
> I tested the connections at the fuse block and I could get some lights to
> work by removing and re-connecting the wire ends, but not all.
> This leads me to believe that the residual corrosive dry chemical powder is
> still having an affect on the connections.
> So, I have been fighting the wiring for a long time and consistently
> losing. I was going to go for a ride a couple of days ago, but wasn't sure
> that the lights were properly working.
> Is it time for a full harness replacement?
> They are available, expensive, but I just can't depend on all of the
> electrics to stay working. I replaced a couple of harnesses on my old
> non-VW truck and it has made it consistently reliable.
> For those who have replaced one, please share your experiences.
> Jeff '67 Squareback
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> I had the same issue with mine. It had a fire under the dash and also in the engine compartment back in the 80s. So when we restore it about 8 or 9 years ago they were only making the main harness back then and I think only for carbureted cars. But as luck would have it we got a parts car the same year as mine and since it had spent a couple of decades deep in the woods with little sun light exposure so the harness was like new. We done a harness transplant and it’s been working fine every since. 
Dennis Stiefel 
72 Fastback FI MT
Rainsville AL