Date:         Tue, 25 Oct 2005 11:50:41 -0400
Reply-To:     "Warner, Jeffrey (Jeff) S (J6C)" <Jeff.Warner@DLA.MIL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Warner, Jeffrey (Jeff) S (J6C)" <Jeff.Warner@DLA.MIL>
Subject:      Re: HELP! Instrument Cluster Gremlins!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thanks for the help.  This was it exactly.  I had some pins that were
bent back and some corroded contacts.  Everything is good now although
my clock seems to be in and out and maybe a little slow.  Thanks again.

Jeff


Date:    Fri, 21 Oct 2005 14:08:57 -0400
From:    Mary Creasy <mkc1@LOCALNET.COM>
Subject: Re: HELP! Instrument Cluster Gremlins!

We've had this happen on our '85 and it is most probably a loose
connection.
The advice about removing the fuse block and cleaning and tightening the
ground port is important but equally as much to blame is the inst.
cluster
plug assy. The foil and the modular plug are usually not connecting.
There
are some who solder the foil contacts to build up the contact but I have
found that just unfolding the foil from the protrusion and applying a
layer
of duct tape and replacing the foil gives it enough force but with some
give
to complete the short .  It doesn't hurt to crimp the metal pins in the
plug
slightly to also ensure a tight connection. Good Luck however you
decide.
 
Dave
'78 Westy
'85 Westy
'93 EVMV5sp.
----- 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"