[T3] Emergency Flasher Wiring

[Sean Bartnik]

For some reason I didn’t get Max’s original email on this, just Jim’s reply but to add onto what Jim said:

There are basically 3 different versions of turn signal flasher relays and then some variations within each version.

Version 1 is on the early cars with no hazard flashers. Turn signals only. Simplest system, just a 2-terminal flasher relay: power in, flashing output, grounds by mount to the dash.  Easy.

Version 2 is the “Complex Relay / Simple Switch” system that started around ’66 when hazard flashers started to be legally required. I have wired up my ’65 with this system using period parts and following the ’66 wiring diagram and it works great. This uses the big 9-pin relay and came in 6 and 12v versions.

Version 3 is the “Simple Relay / Complex Switch” system which came later, not sure what year, where the relay is a small 4-prong relay and all the complexity was moved to the hazard flasher switch itself.

Anyway, the Complex Relay was used on all VW models of the time and so it has provisions that are not used on the Type 3. One of those is the 54 and 54f terminals. Those terminals are used on Buses and Beetles where the turn signal bulb at the rear is also the brake light bulb. Those terminals are used to interface with the power to the brake lights so that the turn signal (or hazard flasher) overrides the brake light. Those terminals are left unused on a Type 3 because we have separate brake and turn signal bulbs at the rear.

If you are using the Complex Relay you need to use the simple hazard switch. It is a simple switch with two terminals  that mounts in a bracket under the dash next to the steering column. It’s labeled J6 on the ’67 diagram you’re using. When you close that switch it tells the relay to pull power from terminal 30 and to send flashing out put to both the L and R terminals on the relay.

You do need to make sure that terminal 30 on the Complex Relay is powered via a battery-hot source and terminal 15 on the relay is powered by a key-hot source. The relay automatically pulls power from terminal 15 normally so that the turn signals only work when the key is on. Pulling out the hazard switch is what makes the relay pull from 30 instead. 

If the relay doesn’t work with it wired correctly, it’s most likely that the relay is bad (if it’s an original one). Wolfsburg West makes (or made) a 12v electronic repro version of the 12v Complex Relay which would be a nice upgrade if it’s still available. There were also various iterations of the Complex Relay with different letter suffixes on the part number but they will all work in his application assuming you get one in the correct voltage for your car.




> 
> On 3 Mar 2026 at 14:48, Max Welton wrote:
> 
>> In my recent trip into my wiring I have partly solved an issue with
>> the E-flasher. Wired the way the diagram shows with the switch across
>> the relay's S and 49a the relay would just buzz when the flasher
>> switch was closed.
>> 
>> I'm using this diagram:
>> 
>> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/type3_1600_67.jpg
>> 
>> The relay I have has the 54 and 54f terminals, not shown on the
>> diagram. I found that connecting one side of the switch to 54 resulted
>> in a working hazard function.
>> 
>> This is the relay:
>> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2654476.jpg
>> 
>> My problem now is that the hazard lights only work with the key on. Not ideal.
>> 
>> Any suggestions?
>> 
>> The only other change I've made is to move the horn to switch power.
>> 
>> Max
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>