Key switch and other issues

What was the first year that bugs had the key switch in the column?

The reason I ask is I recently bought what was supposedly a 69 standard beetle. I talked with another guy who has a 70 and his key switch is in the dash. Another problem with the switch is when ya pull the key out the whole tumbler comes out with the key. Need to replace the switch? I imagine this is difficult.

The wiring is butchered too. My 17yo son put the engine in and was all excited to hear it fire up so after hooking up the wires to the starter, alternator and coil he hopped in, turned the key and nothing. No lights, horn, turn signals or anything.

Is there a simplified wiring kit we could get just to make all the essentials work like lights, charging system and starter work so we can license and get it on the road?

Thanks in advance This bug has other issues so more questions may follow. I found it in TheSamba classifieds seven hr drive from home...

Dave in WV

Anyone else know what the first year bugs had the ignition switch in the column?

Thanks

Thanks mac & kidd

'68 was the first year for the switch on the column, the steering lock part of it came in '69. Some mid year changes for '68. Earlies had the under dash hood release, and the '67 style big-ass flasher relay. Later in the year, the hood latch moved to the glovebox, and the relay became the 4-pin along with the 7-terminal e-flasher switch. A big one year only part for '68 was the gas tank. Same as later years, but had a funky oval shaped filler hole. Impossible to find the hose too, as the circumferance is approx. 2.25 inches, compared to 2" on the body, and 2" on both ends of the later models. Speedometer was a one year only part as well. Looked like the earlier style, but had the electric fuel gauge in it. I think some of the steering components are one year onlies too, like bearings and tie rod ends, but haven't jumped in there...... yet.

Can you guess what year I'm working on right now? :)

I guess you're not refering to the optional steering locking device thing (ish) Have it in my '59 (Swedish)

Roger

Thanks to all who replied, I don't know where I got this idea but I was under the impression Painless Wiring made an economical solution to various wiring problems. Ha, I looked it up yesterday and I think it was a ten or twelve circuit harness with terminal box and it was like $650+!

Guess we'll sit down with a volt/ohm meter and figure out what we can salvage of the existing wiring.

Thanks again You guys and gals are a better resource than the Muir manual

Dave in WV

heard that before....i have owned two 68's now, and they both had steering lock....who knows with vw and their changerover (lackof)schedule....

my current 68 has under dash hood release and late year wiring...

i don't know bout that.... did know that it was first year for external fuel filler....wasn't aware of the different size tank inlet...

the tierod ends were same as 66 &67 balljoint beams....the bearings were different due to the new four lug drums, which contained larger brakes from previous year....first year of four lug

me too........first year of padded dash (US models), first year for highback seats....first year for collapsable steering column, first year for new shaped hood/decklid/aprons, larger tail lights and bumpers....LOTS of changes for 68....

i sure hope so, since the Muir is not a manual and barely more than amusing to read...

Jan

My (err, the wife's) 68 has a steering lock incorporated in the ignition lock. So have all 68's had that have passed by my hands. But there are quite a few differenced between different market areas, like USA/Euro. In Europe, they went to upright headlights in 68, and that's when the steering lock and ignition was introduced. 67 models still had sloping headlights and ignition in the dash. A kit was available not so long ago to convert it to column type, and I believe (not sure) that the kit also had a steering lock feature. (I dunno, that would require a later model steering shaft too I guess, unless the earlier non-locking US models already had the slot in the shaft, but just didn t have the lock?)

My old '68 Baja did too, but my current one does not. I orignally thought a PO had put one in the Baja, but now maybe it was a mid-year add-on as well.

I should've clarified that those changes might not have happened at the same time, as mine is the same way. Going from memory, my VIN is

Neither was I, until I took the tank out. :) Again, YMMV. Bastard car. Oh, and the filler hose itself is different. On my '68, it's one piece of rubber from the filler to the tank with a spring-looking wire wrapped around it to keep it from collapsing, instead of the intermediate piece like later years. There's a junk '70 on some abandoned property about a mile from my house, so I've taken the liberty of scavenging parts off it. So have other people. I got the wiper assembly, switch and gas tank out of it. The steering column is already gone. It was there a couple months ago, but apparently, I'm not the only one who "visits" it.

Kidd wrote: . (I dunno, that would require a later model

I've been told that in addition to the slot, that there are also two pieces of metal welded to the shaft, one on either side of the slot, for the lock bolt to insert into. Otherwise I could pick up a later intermediate assembly and put it in mine, as I have the slot, but no welded metal.

cool...mine is 118630594... a little earlier than yours i assume....

Sorry I said manual.

Solved the ignition switch problem. We're going to change out the whole column with one that has a key and is in good shape.