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Date:         Thu, 26 Jun 2003 11:10:28 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Reverse light madness
Comments: To: Blake Thornton <blake@math.wustl.ed>
In-Reply-To:  <sefaa3ac.077@tel13.accusort.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Blake wrote:

>Conclusion?????? >I conclude that the switch is faulty and that when there is a substantial >voltage applied (ie, 12V), the current actually flows. When there is not >enough voltage applied (ie, what my voltmeter applies), the current does >not flow.

This is possible, especially with modern ohmmeters that deliberately use a very low voltage to avoid setting diode/transistor junctions into conductive state. However there is a theoretical difficulty, depending somewhat on what resistance your meter can read before it over-ranges (probably either two or twenty megohms if it's a digital). Say more about your meter? Analog? Digital? How many batteries of what voltage? Autoranging? Were you using an ohms range or "Continuity check?" I don't have your posts, had mail problems.

>My fix: replace the switch in the tranny. > >Anyone agree with these conclusions????? I'm still a bit new at this >trouble shooting game. Should I order the switch?

First measure the resistance btw the *wires* when they're plugged in to the switch. Suggest going from the fuse (in the little black connector box -- be sure you get the right end!) and ground. Otherwise pierce the wires with a needle as far from the switch as practical to avoid moving the connection and maybe getting a false negative.

If they're separate wires with unshielded connectors they can easily short together -- even if they *are* plugged onto and not between the lugs on the switch. If that's it a shim of some sort to separate them and some RTV to hold everything together should do.

david

-- David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/ '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage" '85 GL "Poor Relation"


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