Date:         Thu, 9 May 2002 12:16:58 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Rewiring parking lights to switch with ignition
Comments: To: Eric Unrau <eunrau@YAHOO.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

You could install a relay on the parking light circuit just like you would
for the low beam headlight circuit. The relay can be located under the
instrument panel cover just in front of the light switch.

Disconnect the wire from the light switch for the parking light circuit (a
gray and a gray/red wire) and connect it to one of the switched contacts
(terminal #30) on a new relay.
Install a jumper (0.5 mm) from the vacated light switch terminal  (#58) to
the other switched contact (terminal #87) on the new relay.
Install a  jumper (0.5 mm) from one side of the new relay solenoid (terminal
#85) to the grounding multipoint terminal behind the fuseblock.
Install a jumper (0.5 mm) from the ignition switched input (terminal X) of
the light switch to the other side of the new relay solenoid (terminal #86).

The net result is the switched input of the light switch will control the
new relay while leaving the current path for the parking light circuit
intact (with the exception of the new relay contacts).  The load reduction
relay circuit should be able to handle the additional current draw of the
new relay without a problem.

I use the same setup for the low beam headlights and auxiliary driving
lights on my van except I use the output of the light switch (terminal #56)
to control the operation of the relays. I have a drawing of that circuit
here: http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/Hella_XL_Driving_Lights.htm

Good luck,

Tim Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
http://photos.yahoo.com/tjhannink Vanagon Album



----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Unrau <eunrau@YAHOO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 10:42 AM
Subject: Rewiring parking lights to switch with ignition


The headlights on my '89 Westy go out when the ignition is turned off,
but the parking lights stay on.  I'm sure there is a good argument for
the existing setup, but I would like to rewire the parking lights so
that they switch off with the ignition as well.

Can someone suggest the best way to achieve this?

Thx,
~Eric~
'89 Westy