Date:         Wed, 6 Sep 2006 21:50:56 -0400
Reply-To:     Helmut Blong <helmut.blong@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Helmut Blong <helmut.blong@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      algebra-impaired
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Greetings, all. I am a neophyte Vanagon owner (90 Carat) and a neophyte
listserv member. I've had the Carat about a month.

I am also struggling to comprehend Bentley wiring diagrams. It's a bit like
algebra with me - I can ultimately figure it out but it is not easy and
thus, I resist learning it thoroughly. I failed algebra three times before I
was allowed to qut it.

Anyway, I have many electrical problems but this one baffles me: My interior
lights all work at top and bottom switch positions as intended. However,
none of the lights go out when a door is closed, as intended. Additionally,
the LCD clock works with the ignition switch off but not with it on or with
the engine running.  I've checked through as many grounds as I can readily
find and can find no obviously loose terminals. I wouldn't think corrosion
would account for this condition.

So, I trace the current track in the Bentley for the front interior lights
and it meanders thought the seatbelt warning system control unit (presumably
in the relay/fuse panel?) and then ends at the ignition switch. The PO
removed the seatbelt warning unit but I don't think it should cause this
fault. It seems more likely to be a fault int he ignition switch as I also
have the LCD clock malfunction relative to the ignition switch. Does this
seem logical? Am I missing something? If your opinion is that it is ignition
sw. related, do you suspect that it is a broken or loose connection in the
switch or a switch/circuit ground issue? Is it possible that the seatbelt
warning unit is interrupting this circuit?

Cheers and thanks for letting me into this fine community of knowledge.

mordo