thing fuse value/proper location

eric wagner · Post by **eric wagner** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:30 pm

hey guys and gals,

i have tried a search with little or no luck....

i am looking for the correct fuse values for a stock 74 thing fuse block. pictures would be great...

thanks,
eric

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:41 am

Here is the fuse location and value directly from a 73 Thing Owner's Manual

eric wagner · Post by **eric wagner** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:55 am

K-mann,

that's perfect thank you.....

Eric

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:15 pm

I was hoping that this is what you needed. Glad to be helpful.

eric wagner · Post by **eric wagner** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:29 am

K-mann,

If i understand it right, all the fuses are 8 amps. Correct?

Eric

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:39 pm

Eric, Thanks for not allowing me to partially answer your question. When I posted the jpeg from the owner's manual I realized I had not given fuse values. I also was too lazy to go up to the shop and look in the fuse box of either of my Things. Here is the answer according to Bentley and Chilton and the information in both sources I now realize are correct. All fuses 1-8 are 8 amp Fuses 9 (map light & electrical outlet) & 10 (Emergency flasher & heater) are both 16 amp.

eric wagner · Post by **eric wagner** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:19 pm

K-mann,

I did notice in the jpeg that it mentions 8amp fuses, so as far as I was concerned you had answered my question. However it seemed some what odd that there was only one size fuse. I seem to remember my 66 and 69 baja's having diffrent size's. So I thought I would just ask for a clarification.

As it turns out I have been driving my 74 thing for 3 years with 8 amp fuses. I have not had a single problem with that set up. However a week or so ago my horn quit working and I thought that the fuse was bad or blown. I still have not actually looked at the fuse block, to verify. Last night on my way home from work low and behold the horn worked. Then it dawned on me that the horn contact on the back of the wheel was in very sad shape. I belive my horn issue to be a contact problem...guess I need to contact Basso and get a new one. I will be fixing the fuses tonight when I get home from work.

Once again you are a huge help to the thing community.

Thanks,
Eric

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:56 pm

Eric, Thanks for your kind comment about being a help to the Thing community. I sometimes wonder if I am like an enthusiastic puppy that get on folks nerves or do in fact help folks with their various Thing issues. I do enjoy tyring to help and it often ends up helping me as the issues I help others solve often later come up for me in my own work on my Things... I have some electrical issues with both of my Things. At the age of our Things they all seem to be loosing switches, relays, flashers, motors and connectors.. The car's wiring was routed through various switches. So, often one broken part will casue other sub systems to stop working. It is at times also a challenge to get good new replacement parts for a good price. Although before we complain, check out the price of a new wiper motor for any newer car. K-mann

eric wagner · Post by **eric wagner** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:31 am

K-mann,

Please do not tell me new car wiper motors cost more than the thing wiper motor. sometimes cost really puts a knot in my shorts. I still need to find a good one for my car. Or better yet does any one in the thing community fix them? According to my electrical gurus here at work the motor I have has been overheated.

Eric

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:14 am

"Eric, Thanks for your kind comment about being a help to the Thing community. I sometimes wonder if I am like an enthusiastic puppy that get on folks nerves or do in fact help folks with their various Thing issues. I do enjoy tyring to help and it often ends up helping me as the issues I help others solve often later come up for me in my own work on my Things"

Yea K-mann, all of us flew in at met at a secret location to discuss this issue. We decided to wait until your projects are done, take them from you and then beat you senseless with a 1974 heater box hose.

Your comments to the cause of keeping the 181's on the road are greatly appretiated dude. Keep those cards and letters (and answers) coming!

Post by **Marc** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:31 am

Kubelmann wrote:Eric, Thanks for not allowing me to partially answer your question. When I posted the jpeg from the owner's manual I realized I had not given fuse values. I also was too lazy to go up to the shop and look in the fuse box of either of my Things. Here is the answer according to Bentley and Chilton and the information in both sources I now realize are correct. All fuses 1-8 are 8 amp Fuses 9 (map light & electrical outlet) & 10 (Emergency flasher & heater) are both 16 amp.

According to this: http://66.34.72.138/wiring/181_from_August_1973-1.jpg #9 is for the gas heater & power outlet and is the only 16A fuse.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 8:45 pm

Marc .. Being master of all "Things" VW I feel all warm and fuzzy that I am able to let you know that the 73 Thing would not have a wiring diagram with an August 1973 date. That would be a 74 Thing with no heater blower motor..... There are some definate differences in the wiring of a 73 and 74 Thing. Because all of my Things are 73 I have more data on that year model... The laws changed right as the 73-74 models were produced and that caused other wiring changes,, Gas heater to heat exchangers. 4 way flasher, heater, electrical socket (that is three circuits that beg for a 16 amp circuit if combined with any other power demands.

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:47 am

And if you think the 73-74 wiring is different, add to that fact that some had an additional fuse panel to the left of the steering column (the Military versions) for the blackout lights, radio equipment, etc.

Post by **Marc** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:27 am

Eric's original question was regarding a `74, not a `73.
All he has to do is apply the information that's relevant for his car, depending upon which heater system it has.

VW has a long history of spec'ing 16A fuses in locations where there is no load anywhere near high enough to warrant more than 8A; I assume it's a legacy of the old vacuum-tube dealer-installed radios from the `50s and `60s. Other than for "oddball" items like gas heaters and airconditioners, 8A fuses are usually fine even if the owner's manual shows 16A.