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Towards the end of last summer, I noticed that the nearside sidelight had stopped working and assumed the bulb had simply blown. I wasn't really too bothered about it, as it really doesn't produce that much light, and I never have them on on their own, I always go straight to headlights (not that they emit much light either!).
As it happened a week or so later I got a phone call from my friend Pete who was out house hunting. It transpired that he was near Just Kampers in Odiham, so he kindly offered to pick some bits up for me. I phoned ahead and made the order for him to pick up. Along with the curtain rails, I thought it was worth getting a new bulb.
The next week, I had some spare time, so I decided changing the bulb would be a good idea. After a bit of wrestling session with the headlight unit, I had it apart and the old side light in my hand. Curiously, the headlight and sidelight mount itself looked somewhat customised, almost as though these weren't really the parts meant to do the job. Anyhow I went to get the new one from my bag of goodies, only to find it was completely different. The new one was tiny, where as the existing one was far bigger. I guessed that I had just ordered the wrong part.
Slightly frustrated, I went to put the unit back together only to notice that the somewhat perished lens to surround seal was coming off. After nearly losing an eye popping off the clips (word of advice, use safety goggles here!) and half an hour's fettling, I couldn't get the seal to stay on. Suffice it to say I had to put the whole thing back together without a seal or a working bulb! Joy!
A few months later, after the Bus had been put into hibernation for the winter I needed to take a trip to Just Kampers myself. This time I picked up a headlight surround to lens seal and asked for a new sidelight bulb. When it was brought out however, sadly it wasn't as expected, it was exactly the same as the one I had got earlier, and was way too small. Stupidly I hadn't brought the old one down, so there was no way of comparing the two. As a result I decided that I would just take the bulb out and pop down Halfords to compare it to all the bulbs they have to try and find a match!
Last week, in the (cramped) comfort of my garage I decided to replace the seal and whip the bulb out for it's little trip to Halfords. After a very fiddly job putting the new seal back on, I came to take out the bulb. Whilst removing it I became intrigued by the way it was mounted and how loose it was as a result of this. Then I spotted a major problem; the contact on back of the bulb was just under a mm away from the contact on the housing! So it was never going to work.
New Seal
Headlight unit removed
Missing seal
Seal in
Gap closed
After a bit of fettling (read as bending metal into place) it was all ready to go back on. One reconnected battery later and it was working fine. I can't believe that was what the problem, after all that hassle! Still, I do actually need to find out what the bulb is (I do have suspicions that it might be an indicator bulb masquerading as a side light), but at least I won't be fighting a losing battle when I do need to replace it!
Working light back in place
Split Screen Desire - The road to true love is never easy
Vans in the News and 19 Windows
My 27th Birthday and an AA Recovery "Low" Loader
Pushing the button...
Too low?
Welding woes
A Very Tight Squeeze
Fuel Crisis
Winter Plans
A Very Tight Squeeze Part II
Spot the Differences
My Big (Roof) Rack
Trying to get a handle on things
Finally, after some ribbing in our previous blogs, James has got his act together. Over the weekend his dragged his new narrowed beam out from under his bed and coated it in satin black paint in preperation for the big fitting. He has the dropped spindles ready as well as new disc brakes, so, all we're waiting on is a new set of wheels... which happen to be on the ocean as we speak.
We'll keep you posted on the progress. As soon as those wheels arrive it will be all hands on deck to get the '62 Ragtop lower to the ground, nice and tucked up front, rolling on shiney alloys and the ability to stop on a dime.
For more information on James' beam please visit Slamwerks or call them on 07784 674015
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'62 Ragtop Bug
When James bought photos in to the office of snow on the front seat of his Beetle, enough was enough - he knew it was time to get on the blower and order a new ragtop cover.
The original had shrunk with age and you could easily get your hand in through the gaps between the runners and the material, so it's little wonder that snow had found its way into the car. A replacement was certainly long overdue.
A new white vinyl cover was ordered through Karmann Konnection who import pretty much the whole range of TMI Interiors, from headliners to seat covers. Their stuff is really good quality and James' new ragtop cover is no exception.
Why white? Well, James used to have '63 Beetle in Ruby Red with a white ragtop. It has the same seats and door card combo he has now and he admits selling it has been a huge regret. The white on red worked really well so decided to use this tried and tested combo on his new ride.
On another note, James also ordered the hinge pin mirror nut so he can put his good used wing mirror, that he picked up at last years Bus Freeze, on the car.
We'll keep you posted on his progress in fitting the ragtop but PLEASE don't hold your breath as it might be a little while 'till he gets around to it...
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He's been going on about getting some new carpet for his Beetle since he first drove it in to show it off, and finally that day has come.. 5 months later!
James arrived at work to see Noel, our postie, sitting at his desk talking about how he thinks 3D TV is the only thing we would ever need in the near future. Now, as much as this topic would normally draw us into a comedy debate, James was more interested in the huge parcel Noel had dragged up 10 flights of stairs to deliver to him.
The parcel was of course a nice new narrow weave carpet, in grey, from the guys at Newton Commercial.
It is a very good quality carpet and comes complete with the sound deadening already attached to the backs of each carpet panel.
We reckon it might take James a few months before he gets around to fitting the carpet, but at least it's here now and he can start to drivel on about something else he needs for his ride. A new set of wheels perhaps, to go with the narrowed beam you haven't fitted yet James?
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