new to VWs, i was only looking for a diesel motor to adapt into my toyota rockcrawler and found this veggie converted 82 truck for $800 right down the street from me. , floor and window pillars starting to rot but otherwise very clean. i intend to drive it for as long as possible


its got major electrical issues that im still diagnosing and will document here. only had it 2 days. this thread is partly a request for pointers, and partly for myself to keep track of whats been ruled out.
so far i know that:
-it drains batteries
-will crank, but will not fire
-glow plug indicator on dash does not come on, only two red lights when keyed
-glow plug fuseible link is good
-no headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc. horn make a buzz in the dash but no sound from horn
-when key is turned forward, (and only then) there is enough current between battery ground terminal
and chassis to illuminate a test light (never seen this before)
-has several blown fuses and a melted spot on the panel where someone tapped for power.
-fuse panel does not seem to be the one manuals suggest it should be, looks like '83 panel. (image on page 9 of this PDF) newbielink:http://www.425dubs.com/files/Inet%20cars/MK1/79.pdf
[nonactive]-relay socket that hangs from very left foot area has broken off relay terminals rusted solid in it, no relay
-relay under dash between drivers knees looks to be in bad shape, broken plastic, corroded.
my haynes manual really sucks at identifying what any of these are. i'll get pics tomorrow. can anyone recommend a quality, detailed brand of repair manual for early rabbits?
thanks in advance for any help.
mike