Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2000 23:40:53 EST
Reply-To: James Flanigan <vanagon40@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: James Flanigan <vanagon40@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Dimmer Switch
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Getting right to the point:
Problem: I took apart my dimmer switch and am unable to figure out how to
put it back together. I still have all parts in good shape. There is a U
shaped plastic piece with a small round bar perpendicular to the bend that I
do not know where it belongs. HELP!!!
The long story (for those interested):
About 18 months ago, my ignition switch failed in that it would no longer
engage the start switch (would turn ON the van, but not engage the starter
motor). As a quick fix, I jumpered in a starter switch (which has worked
fine for 18 months). About the same time (not sure which happened first),
my bright lights got stuck in the on position. They remained on even with
the ignition switch off. As a quick fix I removed the fuses to the bright
lights but even that did not completely solve the problem. I pull more
fuses till the lights went off and ended up the 2 bright light fuses and the
next one over removed. This solved that problem, but left me with no bright
lights.
I also noted that my raditor fan would not come on. I then thought I had
pulled the fuse to the raditor fan to get the brights out. I finally put in
a direct manual switch to the high speed raditor fan (another quick fix).
After several messages to this board, everyone suggested that my ignition
switch was the cause of all my problems. I never believed this was the
cause of my bright light problem, but I was swayed by the unanimous
consensus of the replies I received. I finally broke down and bought the
$10.00 ignition switch.
Upon attempting to replace the ignition switch, I discovered it was the
mechanical component of the ignition switch that was broken. (I have a few
good leads on a new switch now.) Ignition switch problem solved (but not
yet fixed).
So I figued that since the steering wheel was off and I had access to the
dimmer switch, I would take it apart and see what was up. When I took it
apart, the U shaped piece (problem above) fell out into my hands. I cannot
figure out where it goes. However, everything inside the switch looked
good.
With the dimmer switch unconnected, I put the fuse back in the slot next to
the bright light switch. I noticed electrical arcing when I put in the
fuse, and the right bright came on. I also noted electrical arcing behind
the fuse panel when I replaced the fuse. I removed the fuse panel and
discovered loose screw had fallen on the fuse panel, and was shorting the
bright light circuit. I disconnected the battery and removed the errant
screw and solved my bright light problem (except now the switch does not
work due to my inability to put the switch back together).
I also noted that there was nothing connected to the fuse next to my bright
light fuses, which means that my raditor fan problem was unrelated to the
bright light problem which is unrelated to the ignition switch problem.
I am in the process of getting a new starter switch. I hope I get a
response to this message that will enable me to fix my dimmer switch.
Someday I may tackle my raditor fan problem (but don't count on it).
My '83 is still a daily driver. Will drive it to work on Monday with the no
bright lights, a jumpered in starter switch, and manual operated raditor fan
(same as the last 18 months). By the way, my horn quit after this last
round of problem analysis. The steering shaft is no longer a good ground
(the horn works when jumpered to a good ground). Maybe I'll try another
"quick fix" and use a hose clamp to connect a ground wire to the steering
wheel shaft.
See why I put my problem in the first paragraph......
Vanagon40
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