Date:         Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:52:44 +0000
Reply-To:     kayakjr@COMCAST.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reynolds <kayakjr@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Archives (& Dennis Haynes) solves headlight problem
Comments: cc: d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM

Had not used my van and noticed it need an inspection sticker - passes everything except no headlights at all!

I had just replaced the ignition switch and I had pulled the instrument cluster and figured I left a connector off somewhere, but the parking lights were working.  I had not used the headlights this year, so I can't say they were working before the ignition switch replacement.

Several Archive posts mentioned replacing the ignition switch to solve this problem, but Dennis Haynes replied to one who had the same symtoms as me that  the head light grounds are at fault  ( all lights except headlight work, but blue hi-beam indicator stays on when the headlights are turned on)

I  figured my new ignition switch was bad (replaced as preventative maintenance) and was going to do the whole affair again to put the old one back in, but I followed Dennis's advice and dropped the fuse box and saw one double wire ground with corrosion on the  connector.  I cut off the end, and crimped two new ends on (one on each wire instead of two into one), cleaned the ground spade lug and bingo, headlights now work!

Now I have to locate the other headlight double ground (if there are two) and do that as well.

Thanks to the list and especially to Dennis Haynes who has provided much good info to the list.

Also glad to see see Dave Beierl back on the list.

John Reynolds
LiMBO
86 Wolfsburg Westfalia Weekender