• From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Topic: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

Ok, I drive my old '65 Bug virtually every day, rain or shine. Well with 6 volts powering just about everything it doesn't take long leaving the lights on to drain the battery. You know the scenario: it's foggy (rainy...dark...) when you leave for work or school so on go the lights. By the time you get to where you're going, it's brighter out and the headlights are forgotten.

I did a web search and found numerous sites with ideas and procedures for wiring up a buzzer to alert you to the "on" condition of your headlights when you turn off the key. Here's what I boiled down from all of these (some of which specified diodes, relays, transitors, etc.etc.etc.). I went to Radio Shack and bought a small 6 volt buzzer for about $4. It has two wires, black and red.

In the trunk I removed the wiring cover to expose the "top side" of the fuse panel. I attached the red wire to one of the yellow headlight wires at fuse location No. 5 and the black buzzer wire to fuse location No. 8. Done! When the car is running (or key is in the "on" position) and the headlights turned on...everything is quiet. But if I turn off the engine/key, and don't turn off the headlights, the buzzer sounds! Way too simple not to do this if it ever saves you one dead battery. Give it a try. SEE IMPORTANT REVISION BELOW!!!!!  Clancy

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

I just went out and checked the wiring locations I suggested in my original post....well, I should never count on my memory! I actually wired the red wire to Fuse Location No. 3 (not No. 5 as I originally stated). The reason for this is that on the "low beam headlight" fuse location (No. 5), if you had your high beams on when you turned the key off, the buzzer would not have sounded. Instead, at location No. 3, ANY lights on (parking, tail, high or low beam headlights) will sound the buzzer with the key off. Sorry for the confusion....I'll go back and edit in a warning to the original post!  Clancy

  • From: Brevard, NC
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 513

Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

Thanks Clancy for the info, I had been wanting to do the same thing.  David

David
'69 Bug & '71 Ghia
No matter where you go, there you are.
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day

4 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

Thanks Clancy, I had a Type 3 years ago with one of these and I had kind of forgotten about it after having driven the 74 for so many years with it's shut off with the key headlights. I think I may add it to my current mostly original '65.
I cobbled together another '65 a few years back and replaced the headlight switch with a later model one and wired it to shut off the headlights w/the key as well.

  • From: Brevard, NC
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 513

Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

Thanks again for the info on the headlight warning buzzer. I installed mine this weekend after I drained the battery, again. I left the lights on after driving through a rain shower. I had picked up the switch a couple of weeks ago and was waiting for the time to do it. I had plenty of time while I was waiting for the battery to charge. I also got the added bonus of a low buzz when the turn signals are on.      David

David
'69 Bug & '71 Ghia
No matter where you go, there you are.
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer!

Plantman: Glad the info may help the next time! So far, I haven't had the opportunity (or forgetfulness) to need the buzzer....but it's there for when I inevitably do. Clancy