Date:         Sat, 7 Aug 2010 11:29:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      blue foil false alarm
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Well, I don't know about the other guy's foil problem but I was lucky.  Turns out my high beam indicator bulb was burned out, something I expected to discover once I removed the cluster and saw the relative locations of what I'd been working on previously and the recent problem blue light.  Unlikely that I could have damaged it after all, but it never hurts to expect the worst.  Props to West Broad VW for having the part in stock ($11!!) and for keeping the parts counter open all day Saturday.  Thanks, Gary, and I hope you find the Westy you want!  He did tell me he was once offered a Syncro Westy for about $5000 and has kicked himself for years for not buying it.

I'll say one thing, though, and that is that VW could have hardly made this bulb more difficult to replace.  It's good that the cluster removes in ten minutes because it lulls you into thinking you'll be finished in twenty.  Reality is somewhat different; exasperating, frustrating and one of those three-handed jobs in tight quarters, and that's with the cluster on the bench in front of you in good light and air conditioning.  Now, onward to state inspection!

Stephen