Date:         Fri, 21 Oct 2005 11:40:44 -0400
Reply-To:     John Lauterbach <lauterba@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Lauterbach <lauterba@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: HELP! Instrument Cluster Gremlins!
Comments: To: "Warner, Jeffrey (Jeff) S (J6C)" <Jeff.Warner@DLA.MIL>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Jeff,

You have some loose connections!  I run a late model cluster in my '84 so I
know that one of the wires on the 14-pin connector has to go to ground (in
my case - no second oil-pressure transducer - not yours), and I get the
buzzer if the wire gets loose.

14-pin connector plugs into instrument cluster circuit foil on passenger
side of cluster.  As I remember, it is a pain to get to on account lots of
wires and other stuff hanging near by.  I haven't touched mine in years so
others may be able to give you better advice.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Warner, Jeffrey (Jeff) S (J6C)" <Jeff.Warner@DLA.MIL>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 11:15 AM
Subject: HELP! Instrument Cluster Gremlins!


VOLKS! (I say with consternation.)

It Started last night on the way home. '86 Automatic with headlight
relay kit installed two years ago.  I'll try to describe the symptoms.

Engine running, lights off:  Everything appears fine. Gauges all
working, etc. Oil pressure light and buzzer go off every time after 2000
RPM with no regard for oil pressure reality.

Engine running, lights on:  No dash lights, no tach, function of
headlight dimmer switch indicator light is opposite of reality, dash
lights dimmer affects the LED lights making the high beam indicator
dimmer and turning on the oil pressure and coolant lights. Turning on
the light switch kills the oil pressure warning and the water temp
warning light flashes for a few seconds as if you'd just started the
engine.

Engine not running, light switch on: Dash lights and their dimmer are
working.  Hard to know what everything else is doing.

Last night the oil pressure warning light and buzzer were not part of
the symptoms when the lights were off.  That was a new bonus symptom
that started up after I left the gas station this morning.  Needless to
say it was the straw that made me take this camel back home and get the
truck.

Meanwhile, the van just runs like a champ.

So what do you think resident gurus?  Some kind of short?  Suggestions
for where to start?

Thanks.

Jeff Warner
Galloway, OH
'86 Wolfy Westy "Barry"