TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to read wiring diagram in Bentley manual

Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:50 pm

The wiring diagram(s) in the Bentley manual have me confused. I have an 86 Westy, 2.1L engine. Page 94.4 of the manual is "How to read wiring diagrams". The diagram tells me that numbers inside squares represent current track values. It also says that the numbers at the bottom of the page are current track numbers. I have not figured out how to utilize the information. Consider pg 97.91. Coming off the upper left corner of the grey dashboard circuits, connector pin T14/B, is a wire (0.5 BK) with shows a connection to current track 10. When I go to page 97.87 and look at the current track values at the bottom of the page, current track 10 has no connection. How do I interpret the diagram? Where does the wire on pin T14/B go? Where is current track 10?

Thanks for the help

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Moderator edit, 2025, in case anyone found this thread via search:

Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:15 pm

97.91 T14/8 ( connector #14 pin 8 ) goes to diagram position 10. Look down to the bottom of the page, this is diagram position 49.

97.87 diagram position 10 has the ignition switch connection 15 that has a wire that goes to diagram position 49, which is the above. so the two is connected together.

Note that the shaded area on the top of the pages is the fuse box.

edit: Don't know why VW call it current track. It is just the position of the schematic so it is easier to find.

Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:42 pm

Maybe this could help a bit? Or maybe it's the same as in the manual? Don't have mine nearby.

https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/display/tech/How+to+read+wiring+diagrams+-+Vanagon

Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:17 pm

the current tracks are like stations on an airplane dwg-- sliced into metered rings are simply addresses of where the components are in the circuit system-- starting at 1 at the front and running wild to the rear--
although the wiring sequencing in the schematics arent exactly where they would be on the vehicle physically-- like the 06 black cable going from the battery to the starter shows this short little line and its actually 8' long.
power comes from the top of the page and flows down each page--the power tracks are all along the top and the grounds are all on the bottom of the pages. circuit 31 on the very top horizontal is B+ chronic voltage, battery full voltage-- then you have circuit 15, which is switched through the ignition switch. the only deception on the top of the page is circuit 30, which is a ground. it is a dead ground for the wipers and a local ground for most relays.
there are better schematic designs out there with more info you need, like what all the relays are on one page.

Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:53 pm

4birds wrote: The wiring diagram(s) in the Bentley manual have me confused. I have an 86 Westy, 2.1L engine. Page 94.4 of the manual is "How to read wiring diagrams". The diagram tells me that numbers inside squares represent current track values. It also says that the numbers at the bottom of the page are current track numbers.
The numbers along the page bottom are what VW calls current track numbers. They're just location references within the schematic, and refer to the vertical slice of the page above that number. Wires ending in a square callout box with a track number are continued somewhere in the area of the diagram above the number called out.

Quote: I have not figured out how to utilize the information. Consider pg 97.91. Coming off the upper left corner of the grey dashboard circuits, connector pin T14/B, is a wire (0.5 BK) with shows a connection to current track 10. When I go to page 97.87 and look at the current track values at the bottom of the page, current track 10 has no connection. How do I interpret the diagram? Where does the wire on pin T14/B go? Where is current track 10?
That callout from t14b is on track 49. Go to track 10 on 97.87 and find the wire with a callout tag for track 49. Make sense?

A few oddments: Circuit 30 is unswitched battery voltage. 15 is switched through the ignition 15 terminal. 31 is unswitched ground. 50 is starter control. X is the starting load reduction circuit (shuts off headlights directly, and wipers, heater blower, rear defrost through the load reduction relay whilst cranking). Relay terminals 86 and 85 are the positive and negative ends of the control coil. 87 is the switched output terminal. Numbers in round bubbles at the bottom of the diagram (the bottom line is all ground) are callouts to the particular ground terminal locations, listed on 97.86. The number following T in a terminal is the number of pins; locations called out on 97.86. For multipin terminals like the instrument panel connector, the number following the slash is the pin number within the connector.

'Zat help some?

Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:20 pm

Okay, I'm in a similar boat having problems understanding the diagram, but for other reasons.

I am replacing my fuse block and had to clean up some of the wiring that looked nasty.

When I removed a wire from the fuse block, I jotted the # next to the hole that I removed the wire. Thus, knowing how to place it back.

Upon looking at the diagram to verify the fuses & wires, I'm at a loss. None appear to match up, so I believe I'm reading this wrong.

For example, I removed a white wire from pin 2 of the fuse-block; where the actual relays connect into.

I was thinking it was the upper S with the number 2 to the lower right of the S. Then shortly seeing a W near. However, this is not the case.

Could someone explain what I'm doing wrong here while reading the fuse-block pin-outs to the wiring diagram?

Thanks everyone!

Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:57 pm

For my example, I am using the 82' diesel diagrams on 97.36-97.40.

How does one determine which fuse-relay pin goes to what wire?

For example, I pulled a large red wire from #16 of the image below. How would I locate this on the wiring diagram?

Thanks!

Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:19 pm

Well, one way to do this is deductive: You have the Bentley's for your van? It's tedious, but you can start looking through the diagrams (Pgs 97.36-40 for an '82 diesel) for wires that have a "W" (White) and attach to the fuse / relay panel. I see three, the high-beam power in from the dimmer switch to the fuses for high-beam (Track 41), the output of the fuse to the left high-beam (track 40) and the output of the emergency flasher switch to the flasher relay (track 70). There's a couple of other white wires shown that don't go near the fuse/relay panel. Can you pull the wire in question to see which way it goes in the harness? If it goes toward the front wall of the bus, it may be the wire to the headlight. You may be able to trace a wire over to the 4-way switch or to the column. You can use a voltmeter and a test light to decide if it has voltage on it with headlights on (prob. track 41), or with the ignition switch on and no 4-ways on (prob track 70) or not at all (probably hooked up to the headlight, track 40). It's a PITA but does help remind one to make a detailed drawing and label all the wires before you take it apart!
Good luck.

Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:08 am

Unfortunately the early wiring diagrams don't use those pin location numbers that are molded into the early fuse/relay panel, except for the 85 diagram. The 85 diagram has most relay pins numbered with the socket number as well as the relay pin number. The good news is that VW mostly kept the wire colors the same from year to year and the 85 wiring is pretty close to yours. If you find a given relay on the 85 diagram and compare it with the 82 diagram you can make sure that the wire colors in fact match and then use the socket pin number from the 85 diagram for each matching wire.

I am 2 hours south of you. If you get in a complete bind I can help out if you come down. I have some early relay panels with the wires still attached and can go over how to read the diagrams with you.

Mark

Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:17 am

^^^ Sweet offer - take it! Mark know his shee-at.

I'd make that trip if it wasn't TWENTY-two hours for me... :lol:

Sat Nov 09, 2013 10:22 am

After staring at the Bentley awhile I came to that conclusion as well Mark :/

I'd love to swing by! I'll drop a PM to see when your schedule is available.

I feel if I stick to my labeling, I'll be okay. I just wanted to verify all wires and locations. Such as I found out my heater blower motor is missing in my Vanagon and the wiring was cut-off. Other wires were loose not connected to anything. She got me back from a 4500mi round-trip, but after a bit of intimacy with her, I kinda found out some of the Van's oddities and discovered some safety hazards.

Never owning a Vanagon before, I am trying semi-blindly to verify the integrity of my Vanagon's electrical and repair it.

I'll give the 85' a look! I also just received the:

kamper Manual Diesel / Turbodiesel 1.6 and 1.7 Litre Engines

It comes with a wiring diagram which I haven't verified against yet. It may be a bit more detailed.

Thanks everyone!

crazyvwvanman wrote: Unfortunately the early wiring diagrams don't use those pin location numbers that are molded into the early fuse/relay panel, except for the 85 diagram. The 85 diagram has most relay pins numbered with the socket number as well as the relay pin number. The good news is that VW mostly kept the wire colors the same from year to year and the 85 wiring is pretty close to yours. If you find a given relay on the 85 diagram and compare it with the 82 diagram you can make sure that the wire colors in fact match and then use the socket pin number from the 85 diagram for each matching wire.

I am 2 hours south of you. If you get in a complete bind I can help out if you come down. I have some early relay panels with the wires still attached and can go over how to read the diagrams with you.

Mark

Sat Nov 09, 2013 4:17 pm

Hey, Rotaecho, I'm just now replacing some failed crimp connectors on my electrical system and have the relay block loose. Had to come to work this afternoon so I only mapped out part of the relay block for color, wire number and track number vs. relay socket number. The relay socket is just numbered sequentially 1- infinity, left-to-right, and those numbers bear no relationship to any electrical diagram numbers (as you've figured out by now). I should have the rest of the list developed by Monday PM and will post it then. Since I'm working on an '82 Diesel, it should be the same as yours.
BTW, for folks who want a clean way to pick up the "Key In" power to turn on your radio, if you aren't using your seat-belt buzzer function (Because, hey, you always wear your seat belt anyway, right?) and pull out the next-to-right-hand relay (verify this by checking for a grey/black wire under it, that's the wire with "Key In" power, wire #85, track #4), you can put a 1/4" male tab connector on your radio "switched power in" wire and slide it into the female (with the grey/black wire) in the relay socket to pick up that switched power. On my '82, the seat-belt buzzer is all that relay position is used for. I'd put a fuse in the wire, right there at the relay block, because the wire from the ignition switch is unfused.

Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:14 pm

DampCamper,

That would be awesome!:) I think the information you collect and write up will be a great asset for the 82' diesel hard-to-find info!

I know Betsy will appreciate me having an accurate reference than my mimic of what she had before.

Look forward to your findings :D

Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:18 pm

Damp Camper,

I'll post Betsy's wiring/info I have tomorrow morning as well. It'd be interesting to see the differences if any :)

Thanks again!

Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:38 pm

Here are the write-ups I made when taking the fuse-panel off.

This is just a list of what wire was in the pin'd port for the relay:

A square goes into a relay pin location

A circle was a wire which connected to the male connectors on the fuse-box. I tried to mimic the location.

This is the mapping I had for what female connects went to the associated male connects on the fuse assembly. I understand the numbering is a bit off, it's more a reference than an increment indicator though.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:19 pm

Pins are numbered sequentially, left-to-right on the socket board and these numbers have no relationship to any other documentation or drawings.
Pins 1-5 are for the flasher:
(1) BK/WT/GN - and - BU/RD
(2) WT
(3) n/c
(4) BN (double)
(5) n/c
Pins 6-10 are vacant and not used
Pins 11-19 are for the Load Reduction Relay:
(11) n/c
(12) BK/YW (skinnier wire, coil in)
(13) n/c
(14) BK/YW (fatter wire)
(15) n/c
(16) RD (fat) DC in
(17) n/c
(18) BN (double)
(19) n/c
Pins 20-28 are for the Seat Belt/Door Ajar buzzer
(20) n/c
(21) BN
(22) GY/RD
(23) GY (double)
(24) YW/RD
(25) GY/BK
(26) n/c
(27) BK
(28) n/c
Pins 29-37 are for the Wiper control timer / relay:
(29) n/c
(30) BN (double) 18ga - continues on to wiper motor gnd
(31) BN/BK 18ga
(32) BK/GY 18ga (double)
(33) GN/WT 18ga
(34) GN 18ga
(35) n/c
(36) GN/RD 18ga
(37) n/c
At the right end of the relay panel are two fuses, the bottom terminals are bused together and are fed from a BK/YW wire, S13 top gets a BK/RD wire.
Hope this helps, be careful not to let the smoke out of all those wires!

Mark the Dampcamper

Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:47 pm

Not sure how #18 and 28 got to be sly looks? But you know what they are really...
Brown wires into #4, #18 and #21 are the same wire, jumpering ground from one relay to the next.
Make sure and keep the BK/YW wires straight: skinny one goes to #12, fat one goes to #14.
S14 - the last fuse on the end of the realy board - would make a dandy accessory terminal, power only in "RUN"

Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:24 pm

It appears that the power "in" to the fuses is at the lower end (closer to body) and the output side is "up", closer to the relays. Fuses S3&4 are bussed together, as are S5&6 and S8&9 and S11& 12. S1 & S2 are tied together by a grey jumper. All of these ties and busses are on the lower (power feed) end. Following is what I found on my van but I didn't trace everything out, it's pretty crowded in there! Starting across the lower end, S 1-12:
S1: GY (double) jumpers to
S2 (these fuses are for parking/tail/license plate lights)
S3 YW/BK 12ga low beam power (Left), bussed to
S4 low beam power (right)
S5 WT (12ga?) high beam power (left) bussed to
S6 high beam power, right
S7 RD 10ga (fat!) Battery power in, jumper to
S8 More red wires connect to S8,9 for battery power distribution
S9 Bussed from S8
S10 BK/YW from Load reduction relay, jumpers to S13 (also BK/YW)
S11 (Bussed to S12) Black wires, IGN SW #15, +12V in Start & Run
S12 (bussed from S11, more black wires here)

Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:46 pm

S1 GY/BK (2 wires): Parking, tail lights / Left
S2 GY/RD (2 wires): Parking/tail/license lights (right)
S3 YW Low beam left
S4 YW/BK Low beam right
S5 WT High beam left - and - BU/WT high beam indicator in dash
S6 WT/BK High beam right
S7 RD/BK 12ga to radiator fan sw - and - RD 12ga to 2nd stage fan relay
S8 RD 16ga (cigar lighter) - and - RD/YW to brake light switch
S9 RD/WT to 4-way flasher switch (Batt +12v for emergency flashers) - (in my van, also a rogue red wire into the dash, don't know what it's for? Not shown on the diagram).
S10 BK/GY (double 18ga) to wipers - and - BK/WT to rear defogger
S11 BK/BL to 4-way flasher switch (Start/Run power supply for turn signals)
S12 BK/YW to horn, BK/BU to back-up lights switch
S13 BK/RD Fresh air fan
S14 n/c, available for accessory use
You'll have to trace out and "ring out" some of the wires, especially some red ones. Almost all of the red wires are +12V (battery) power, but there area couple (to S7 and S8) that go to loads so you'll have to identify those and get them on the right tabs.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:07 pm

Thanks Mark!

It would appear a few of my 'missing' spots were grounds that weren't done.

Thanks for this write-up! This will help me tons!