Date:         Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:24:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Turn signal system failure
Comments: To: Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <HHEAJIOMDPBGGCKHACGJOELPDAAA.al_knoll@pacbell.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Must be the phase of the moon. Likely more than one problem causing the
various symptoms.

First, I have seen aftermarket flasher relays that caused a faint glow
of the indicator with signals off. Make sure you have a genuine VW part
there or a close substitute. Not much else can cause the glow with
everything else unplugged.

Next, you may have a problem with the flasher switch. Cycle it back and
forth firmly about 10 times to see if it changes any symptoms. Common
for these to have weak contacts.

Lots of turn signal weirdness is caused by grounding problems to the
front running lights but when that happens it is more often a problem
for only one side.

Lastly, check the symptoms again at night but make certain that the
brakes are off and headlight switch is fully off.

Mark

Pensioner wrote:
> Yesterday while bus-tling about to get ready for the tour de fleur sauvage,
> the turn signals went nips-up in a most strange way. With the stalk in
> either left OR right, the console indicator goes to solid green, not fast
> blink like a burned out indicator light.  With the stalk in center position
> the indicator glows dimly.
>
> Changing the emergency flasher relay (21) didn't correct the fault.
>
> I have disconnected/isolated both rear light panels, no effect, disconnected
> the Emergency Flasher Switch, no effect, disconnected the stalk switch
> connectors, no effect on the dim green when the EFR (21) is inserted.  Of
> course with the EFR out there is no indicator.  Bently 97.131 illustrates
> that with the EFSwitch out of the circuit and the Turn signal switch
> disconnected there should be no current path to turn on the indicator when
> the EFR is inserted.
>
> Anyone have any ideas for further troubleshooting.  Copy by pmail would also
> be appreciated.
>
> One day older and a little more confused.
>
> pensioner
>