Date:         Mon, 26 Dec 2005 09:28:01 -0800
Reply-To:     TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Finding and Accessing the Brake Light Switch
In-Reply-To:  <20051226165639.96106.qmail@web81703.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
    OK, if the socket is getting voltage, but the bulb does not work when installed, then there is an issue in the socket ON THE GROUND SIDE of that circuit.

  ________________________________________________________________

  Not necessarily.

  When I was chasing down my inop brake lights, I could check across the brake light socket terminals with the bulb out and the brake pedal applied and read 12-VDC with a multimeter but the bulb wouldn't light when I plugged it in.

  If it was a ground problem, none of the other rear lights would work since they all share a common ground wire. Its possible that there is an internal problem with the tail light dircuit board assembly, but since both brake lights are inop, that doesn't seem likely.

  I found that the corrosion in the engine compartment 'T' connector was passing enough current for the multimeter to operate, but not enough current to light the bulb.

  Good luck,




TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FC_wanderlodge
FAVOR website:  http://home.earthlink.net/~clubvanagon

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