Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 20:55:29 -0400
Reply-To: Todd Guttman <tguttman@COLUMBUS.RR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd Guttman <tguttman@COLUMBUS.RR.COM>
Subject: HELP with wiring VW foglight switch to Hella 500's in 85 Westy
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I've finally found time to install a set of Hella 500's that I bought on
sale from Susquehanna MotorSports earlier this year for our 85 Westy. I
decided to purchase the stock VW foglight switch from the Bus Depot (part #
251 941 535) instead of using the switch that came with the Hellas. I used
up most of my time today, however, searching the archives for tips on using
the VW switch with the relay that came with the Hellas.
Here's the problem - the VW switch has three connectors on back which are
designated "+" , "83a" and "83b". The only post that I found in the
archives describing the connectors was from Kent Christensen on November
11th last year. Kent noted that his Haynes "VW Air-cooled Vanagon" shop
manual described switch position (83a) for the front fogs, and the second
position (83b) for front and rear. He also noted that the internal light
was lit in second position only (front and rear fogs - "83b") and that no
relay was noted in the diagram. So, is this switch designed to use a relay
or to take a power source into the "+" terminal straight out to front and/or
rear fogs via 83a or 83b?
If I want to use this with the Hella relay (4 connectors: "30" - 12 volt in
from battery, "87" - 12 volt out to each foglight, "85" to ground and "86" -
"load" in from switch) would "+" on the VW switch be the "source or supply"
line from my parking light circuit (any opinions on the best place to tap
into this?) and then "83b" could be used to run the "load" line to the
relay - if I wanted to have the switch light up when the fogs were on. I
know that I'll also need to run a ground for the indicator light. Is
running this ground to one of the brass ground "stars" next to the
relay/fuse panel OK? Also, is it best to run a power line all the way from
the battery or is there a suitable source that I can tap into closer to the
fuse/relay strip or under the dash?
Final question - I found Mike Sullivan's webpage with the wiring diagram for
his Projektwo lamps that used the relay #7 slot in his fuse panel (he has an
88 if I recall). My 85 Westy only has an 'extra' relay slot in position #2
and the Hella relay that came with my kit doesn't fit. I got a "universal"
30A Bosch automotive relay from the local FLAPS and it also didn't fit.
The local VW dealer looked it up on the EKTA CD and informed me that VW CD
doesn't list a fog relay for 85's. Has anyone with an 85 found a way to
wire their fogs using a relay plugged into the #2 extra relay slot in their
panel? If so - where'd you get a relay that fits and would you mind sharing
where you ran your wires?
My apologies for the length of the message and many thanks for any/all
advice.
Todd Guttman
85 Westy 'Rivendell'
Columbus, Ohio
