Date:         Mon, 12 Aug 2002 09:28:16 -0400
Reply-To:     John Tomljenovic <zadar72@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Tomljenovic <zadar72@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Have relays, will be brighter lights (experience and helpful tip)

Hello listers,

Just completed the headlight relay mod to my vangon "Elsa".    I regret
not doing it before!  My lights are much whiter and project farther than
before,  now I can't wait to install my euro H4 lights.   Despite the
troubles I had with the install,  having wrong wires, running out of
proper connectors  endless trips to the hardware store, etc, etc...  If I
had to do it again It would take me 15 minutes,  but isn't that always
the case.  I ended up using a the technique of retaining the stock
wiring and fuses to the lamps,  the completely independent setups
seemed like overkill, and I like to keep things as original as possible.
There is a really good schematic that I used which I stumbled upon in
the list but now of course have failed to find again,  it is floating around
there though.  Mabye someone can point me back to it.

    the biggest problem I encountered was finding a connector that
would work in the high/low beam switch on the steering column.   I did
not want to cut the original wires, after much unsuccess,  it dawned on
me,  why not use a the wires and connector from a doner vanagon!  for
5 bucks from my local mechanic, who always has a couple stripper
vans on hand,  I had a whole high/low beam switch connecter and
about a foot of wires.   I just removed the two wires from the donor I
needed to trigger the relays and used them on the steering column.
Plugged the originals (56a & 56b)  that were going to the high/low
switch and instead directly to the relays.  As per official vanagon.com
instructions.   I ended up putting my relays on top of the steering
column mount with some doublesided tape.

 Looks real smooth.    And the only extra wire needed is a ground for
the relays (easy)  and a 10ga power lead from the battery (not so
easy)  I had a automatic, and routed my power lead though a hole
under the shifter housing.    Good luck to those who wish to take this
on and hope my rambling helps.

johnny t