Date:         Mon, 20 May 2002 13:04:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Derek Krueger <vanagon@DRKRU.COTSE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Derek Krueger <vanagon@DRKRU.COTSE.NET>
Subject:      Wires and otherwise (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Over the weekend I decided I would rewire the radio so it would function
properly with my dual-battery setup.  When the PO had the radio installed
the shop guys decided not to use the power from the new fuse panel as is
required for proper dual-battery operation, but rather use constant and
remote turn-on from another source.  This caused the battery to always draw
from the "starting" battery.

When I pulled the deck I was quite surprised at the shoddy workmanship that
these supposed pros did.  Not a single connection was soldered.  It appears
that they cut the wire for the map light to use as a remote turn-on, but
since it was constant, the power was always on - which is not a problem for
me.  I ran a new wire for power and remote and reconnected the map light
and the also disconnected cig lighter light.  This works well.  However,
there are still two mystery wires behind the radio.  One is brown and
tracks back to the rear defroster switch.  According the Bentley I believe
this to be "RADIO CONN" on track 94 page 97.59.  What was this used for and
is it not necessary now that there is a new head unit?  Second mystery wire
was blue and was part of the same insulated run the feeds the left-front
speaker.  Any ideas on what this one is?

Now, in my search for this brown wires home, I found that the power wire
for the seat belt and brake warning light had been cut.  According to the
PO these lights never worked and he thought the bulbs were bad.  After
reconnecting the power for this the seatbelt light works correctly, however
the brake warning light does not.  When the parking/e brake is engaged it
glows bright, and when it is disengaged it still glows, but much more
dimly.  While checking the wire at the brake, I found FIVE more wires
underneath the carpet with no home.  The wire for the brake (Green/Grey)
was connected, but two others in the sane run (Red/Grey and Grey) were
not.  There was an additional run labeled "4" and contained a larger red
(pink), blue and red/black wire.  The wires were shrink sealed with
connectors on the end.  Was this some sort of factory option that is
unused?  Any ideas what the other wires are for and why the brake warning
light is constantly illuminated?

Sorry this is so long.  I had to be detailed.  Thanks in advance for any
help!

Derek
'84 Wolfsburg