Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 10:04:36 -0500
Reply-To: Don in North Carolina <Don_Dixon@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don in North Carolina <Don_Dixon@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: front headlights not working.... (long winded again)
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Christian,
As others have said, there is much on this in the archives, but to recap the
issue (one more time):
VW made a "mistake" in the late model (four headlight) Vanagons. They added
two additional lights, but did not upgrade the various switches to allow for
the greater current draw. The late model Vanagons have a history of burning
out headlight switches, ignition switches and (occasionally) load reduction
("X") relays because of this.
Side note: The load reduction relay is installed in Vanagons to eliminate
certain non-critical electrical loads while starting the engine to allow
more power to the starter, these loads include the headlights, front (and
rear, if installed) windshield wipers, front "fresh air" blower and the rear
window defroster. It may cut out certain other accessories if installed
(A/C, for example).
If your headlights won't come on with the switch anymore, but the high beams
will come on when the turn signal stalk is pulled back ("flashing" the
lights) one of the above components has failed. Of course, the first thing
you should check is for a bad ("blown") fuse or fuses. After this, check to
see if the load reduction relay is working or not - the easiest thing to
check is if your front blower motor or windshield wiper works, if it does
(with the engine running) then your load reduction relay is probably
working, and your headlight switch is probably bad.
If the tests indicate that your load reduction relay is not functioning, the
probable culprit is the ignition switch. Load reduction relays have been
known to fail, but it is somewhat rare. To correct the issue, replace the
ignition switch (electrical portion only, you don't need to replace the
mechanical "lock" assembly). Most of the list venders have the electrical
switch part in stock, it's normally < $15.
The final part of this repair should be to install separate headlight relays
to eliminate the wiring issue that causes these components to fail. The
headlight relays use a small amount of current from the headlight/ignition
switch to "signal" them to close, and they supply the needed current to
power the lights. An additional benefit of installing these relays is that
the headlights have a better "current path" - a more direct connection to
the battery. As a result, the headlights receive more power which makes
them noticeably brighter. You can also safely go to higher wattage
headlight bulbs (within reason, as has been pointed out, the 9004 headlight
bulb plugs do not support a much higher than stock current draw), for even
greater light output. Most list vendors also sell headlight relay kits, for
< $50.
Don in Reidsville, NC
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro (Suzie) - For Sale!
1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christian Pelletier" <christianpelletier@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tue 25 January 2005 00:26
Subject: front headlights not working....
> Hi!
>
> The headlights on my 86 Vanagon Syncro won't turn on. All the other lights
> are fine (parking, flasher, back-up, etc).
> We have made some preliminery search but no success so far.
> We replaced the headlight switch, and checked the bulbs.
> It seems like power is not going to the headlights.
>
> But when I hold the high beam arm on the steering column, the high beams
> turn on, but they won't stay. I can hold it but there is no "click" - like
> you would usually have when you switch to high beam.
>
> We are going to do some more investigation, but if someone has any
> suggestion for something specific to look at, please feel free to share
> your opinions...
>
> :O)
>
> Thanks
>
> Christian
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