Electrical Question

[Achilles]

I wired my ATF warning light according to diagram pertaining to August '69 models in the Orange Bentley.  This shows a duplex terminal, found under the rear seat (of my Ghia) with the wiring from the ignition switch to the starter.  Except, I wired the hot as per the '70 Karmann Ghia wiring diagrem (these two diagrams don't seem to agree wrt Autostick wiring) - black wire to the first terminal on the fuse box, not as per the general AS diagram.  Then, when I started the engine, the ATF light went on and stayed on (unlike the GEN and OIL lights which only light momentarily).  So, I figured that duplex terminal was the issue - with the ignition switch in the ON position, the light gets juice when the engine is running.  This may seem confusing, but the KG wiring diagram has the ATF idiot light wired in duplex (paralllel) with the ground wire from the stick shift.

So, I split the duplex into two single terminal connectors.  Lo and behold the light does not light when I start the car, and stays out (no high temp condition - yet).

So I can't tell if I've got this right.  Should the ATF light momentarily on startup?

[Brandon]

Im no expert, but Ive never seen my ATF light come on, and its wired right and the bulb is fine. I also just get Oil and Generator lights at startup.

[volkenstein]

Larry,
       Shouldn't happen. The ATF sender is an earth point for the black wire that feeds your idiot lights from the fusebox. Your ATF light wire goes from the bulb to the temp switch and should only be activated when you hit 140Deg C IIRC. I've checked TheSamba KG Aug 69- Aug '70 and the only duplex fitting I can see should be for the gearstick wire and ATF temp wire. I'll have a perv at the Bentley later tonight to try and pick the discrepancies you've mentioned.

Regards
Sean

[volkenstein]

Larry,
       So I've had a look at the Bentley and the wiring diag is the same as TheSamba for a KG of your vintage.
From what I can see, the ATF/Gearstick connector is 2 in, 2 out and the only other one I can see is for the reversing lights, 1 in, 2 out black wire connection.

The N.S.S. switch has two wires (piggybacked) for the gearstick and the starter motor wire. That circuit goes red/black then red, red black and red again. Quite strange.


Any help?
Volkenstein

[Achilles]

Sean,
Yes that helps.  I think things are in order now but for me it begs the question: say the ATF light circuit is wired with the contact wire from the stick shift in a duplex terminal, as per the Bentley.  There is a common between the two sides of the spade connectors in it, that implies to meet that the circuits are somehow interconnected (in parallel).  So I'm thinking if the stick shift contact circuit is 'made' then the ATF circuit is 'made' as well.  Or at least I think.

Help me make sense of this.

[68autobug]

Sean,
Yes that helps.  I think things are in order now but for me it begs the question: say the ATF light circuit is wired with the contact wire from the stick shift in a duplex terminal, as per the Bentley.  There is a common between the two sides of the spade connectors in it, that implies to meet that the circuits are somehow interconnected (in parallel).  So I'm thinking if the stick shift contact circuit is 'made' then the ATF circuit is 'made' as well.  Or at least I think.

Help me make sense of this.

HELP ....  lol

I think I know what you mean..

but the power to the ATF light  is constant while the engine is going..
and the ATF temperature switch only switches on when the ATF is too hot
in Drive 2....    Then You shift down to Drive 1..
and the ATF will cool down....

Early cars had a switch on Drive 1 and drive 2

but they later found that the drive 1 never over heated..
and Drive 2 only does when going up a steep hill towing a heavy trailer or caravan...
[so the manuals say]

cheers

Lee