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For those of you with VW based Fiberfab TDrs, are you running a high beam relay or just running the wires from fuse to switch to lamps? Having a problem figuring out the wiring to the relay. Also are you using the column mounted (turn signal lever) for the high beam switch or are you using a foot switch for the high beam. Thanks for helping a geezer out. 😕
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackUsing ’69 column-mounted dimmer switch, and no separate relays. Adding a relay would give brighter lights for either circuit. You would need a separate relay for each circuit, low beam and high beam.
The relays function like starter solenoids, in that they simply switch the high-amperage current. You can use smaller gauge wire and lower amperage for the dimmer switch. You’d want to mount the relays close to the battery, with larger wires 10 or 12 gauge) and appropriate fuses. Some aftermarket relays have a separate fuse on the relay itself.KentT2015-02-08 22:17:13
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...I wanted to have a more original look on my car. I removed the original vw colum and put a steering rod in its place. I didnt use relays but I did put a high beam switch on the floor. Im also installing a 75 amp alternator for more power so I avoid dim lights. I ran heavy wire to everything in the car for extra safety. I also put ground poles in the front middle and rear so I could quickly find ground problems. Each electrical item has its own ground wire attached to its own slot on the ground pole. The ground poles have a number 8 wire running from the battery to the frame and to the engine.
Good luck.Hi Allen,
’71 column
Turn signal lever is also high beam switch.
There is a relay in the circuit.Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Allen, my ’69 column is much like Paul’s.
Pulling the column mounted turn signal lever towards you actuates a momentary switch which sends a high/low beam signal to a single (SPDT) relay which routes power to the appropriate light filaments.
I have seen heavy duty switches mounted on the floor, just to the left of the clutch pedal. These often do not use a relay.The universal harness that I have doesn’t include wiring for a headlight relay. That’s why I asked my questions. So my electrical system will have a 12 fuse block and next to that three relays; turn signal, high beam, and horn. Oh…and a fog light switch and defroster switch. Going to used the universal wiring harness but wire it like the Fiberfab harness says. Too complicated otherwise. Thanks for all the help folks.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackI would add a relay for the fog lights also…
What universal harness are you using? I haven’t started cleaning up my wiring yet, a fresh start may be the easiest way to do it…
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...MG Magic sells a universal Dune Buggy/kit car harness for $89 but I got mine at the local VW show/drag meet last spring. Paid $45 for it and its the same one MG Magic sells. I may add a relay for the fog light although in the past 15 years I’ve only actually need to use a fog light twice. My plan is to mount one.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackI put relays in a couple years ago. Headlights, fog light and horns. I now have one for the fan too. Relays seem like a good idea to me, just generally, to keep the current/load low through your switches. The repops of VW headlight/dimmer switches (on the dash) seem especially prone to burnout.
Relays may not be necessary in every case, but in any case they can’t hurt.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"I realize this question was over a month ago, already answered sufficiently, but my steering column (possibly from a 1974 Rabbit/Golf or aftermarket) turn signal/dimmer lever is used for horn not dimmer. I have a floor switch instead. No idea why it was done that way, was the previous owner’s build not mine.
I haven’t looked for any relays, and only glimpsed the wiring behind the dash, so thanks to this message thread I’m going to give that a look now too.LRH, I like your setup for lights and horn. Why not? When I got my TDr, none of the lights or horn worked. Everything in the column was broken. I bought new guts and got the hi/low and turn signals to work but eventually the self cancelling feature of the turn signals quit. The horn was always intermittent on my after-market steering wheel. Finally, I mounted a horn button on the dash and after installing an audible horn that beeps with the turn signals, I decided that I did not need self cancelling turn signals.
Since then, life has been good.
I could use an audible turn signal too, mine doesn’t always cancel after a turn. Seems like it has a 50-50 chance of it continuing or going off, so I’ve found myself driving along a few minutes before seeing the little green indicator light blinking. Should be easier to see with the top up instead of open.
One of many things I’m finding this otherwise nice car needs checking into, as I was expecting anyway. Part of the fun… up to a point anyhow! Most of all I’m appreciating the build being done for me already the more I look the car over.I got it at Radio Shack (believe it or not). Cost about $3 and as I remember, was rated at 5-40vdc. Hooked it up at the turn signal flasher.
Very loud. Even with the top down at 60mph, you won’t forget to turn your turn signals off.
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