Date:         Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:28:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeff Michal <jeffmichal@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Michal <jeffmichal@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Electrical Nightmare?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hey folks.  I drive a 1990 GL, and I've got a bit of a problem.  I was out driving around tonight, and at some point I noticed that my windshield wipers arent working.  I start checking other stuff, and alot of my electrical stuff isnt working.  I checked all the fuses with a continuity tester, no problems there, but I replaced the fuses for the components that werent working (specifically fuses 11, 12, and 17) anyway just to see.

I've run down a list of pretty much everything I could think of that is electric in the van to see what works and what doesnt.

Works - Radio, All lights, Dimmer, Cigarette lighter
Doesnt Work - Wipers, Washers, Power Mirror Adjustment, Auxilary Heater, Air Conditioner, Dash fan (pushes defroster).

It was too cold tonight for the engine to get hot enough for the front fan to come on, so I couldnt test that.

I bought my vanagon second hand from an old German fellow who took some liberties with the wiring harness.  He drilled a hole in the ashtray and fixed a light on the underside of the dash that shines into there through the hole, it is hooked up to the dimmer.  He fitted power locks and windows aftermarket.  The radio comes on with the key in switch circuit, but the buzzer does not.  The seat belt buzzer does not work either.  There are forward auxilary heater temparature controls that I dont think are stock; it is a toggle switch for temp up and down.  Additionally I noticed some very non standard plastic bag looking material surrounding some electrical component behind the right front headlamp when i was swapping my bulbs. The radio had also been replaced, and there are additional speakers under my middle row seat.  While alot of these might sound like great things, in the undocumented state I recieved them in, it can be a nightmare.

One other thing I'll say is that recently, within the past month, I have started using that auxilary heater pretty much non-stop where I was never using it before.  I figured out that it works really well and I fell in love with it.

The upside is the guy I bought the van from works for my mechanic.  I can take it over there and they'll fix it, but I'll have to pay and I'm not really looking forward to that a week ahead of Christmas.

I'm hoping this rings a bell for someone, but if it doesn't, what should I do?  I dont really need the aux heater or the power mirrors, but the wipers and defroster are critical.  I'm hoping its a relay or something I can swap out easily.

Any help or recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff
90 GL