Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:25:36 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
Subject: Re: intermittent electrical problem in dashboard and wiper fluid
problem
In-Reply-To: <4efcc035.45c3e00a.37ec.ffffd389@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Re: nozzle stream, keep in mind that what works in your driveway won't at highway speeds.
Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus
On Dec 29, 2011, at 12:31 PM, David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>> First problem - I seem to have an intermittent electrical problem in the
>> dashboard. Sometimes the light behind the speedometer doesn't go on, and
>> with it several other things - the blowers to defrost the windshield, in
>> particular. Wipers work, the light on the clock works. I don't know if
>> the light on the tach works because it has been disconnected for ages.
>
> Manual says panel light fuse is above the main row of fuses, ten
> amp. If the light for the idiot light legends, heater switches,
> cigarette lighter are working then your trouble there is definitely
> inside the panel, probably the lights themselves or their contact
> with the panel. The speedo, tach and LED lights are all on top of
> the panel (in front of the gauge faces).
>
> Heater blower is fuse 13. If the wipers work then you're not having
> a problem with the load reduction relay. Doesn't seem likely to me
> that the blower and the panel lighting problems would be
> related. You have the new type fuses though, which don't *usually*
> have contact problems like the older type. If the fuse was blown the
> blower simply wouldn't work. You could be having a ground problem
> with the star grounds up behind the fuse/relay panel.
>
>> Second problem - the pump that should put out wiper fluid makes noises but
>> no fluid comes out. (I just poured a bunch in, so the tank isn't empty.
>> Unless it has a leak, but I didn't notice one. And since there's a noise,
>> this isn't part of the aforementioned electrical problem.) Could something
>> be blocked in the system?
>
> Either nozzles blocked or the pump is toast (or hose broken or
> disconnected, in which case it will pump lots of fluid on the
> ground. Get someone to pump while you probe with a fine wire or thin
> needle, see what happens. You can drop the tank (maybe can
> disconnect the hose without doing that, I forget) and see if the pump
> is working. Should put out a very strong stream with the hose disconnected.
>
>> I haven't tried to use wiper fluid since last
>> winter - and for a LONG time I have had major problems trying to get fluid
>> to spray in the right place on the windshield. Endless application of a
>> pin to move the jets this way and that, but the fluid is always too high or
>> too low. Might these two problems even be related, if things are clogged?
>
> The spray nozzles are very difficult to get just right because
> they're at such a low angle to the windshield. The left side one is
> particularly infuriating. They'd be a lot easier if they were out on
> stalks a couple inches long.
>
> Yrs,
> David
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