Date:         Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:35:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Proper Headlight Configuration
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds17BF2FBF35BCAEEAD1A471A0710@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

re

So if the ignition is off, the headlight switch on, lifting the lever will
allow a back feed that will operate the wipers and turn signals.


I see it says 'is possible' ..
and I just checked an 85 and an 87.
Key off, headlight switch on, pull turn signal stalk to flash high beams ..
That does not make the wipers go, or turn signals.  VW wouldn't do that , lol.

re the 'head light configuration' ...
you have either low beams ( just two filaments )
or high beams ( 4 filaments, with the two low beam filaments not activated in the outer lights )
< this is assuming an 86 or later with 4 headlight lenses >
85 and earlier is simpler.

for fun ...if you have key on, headlight switch on, and you pull 'just right'  on the flasher stalk you can get all 6 filaments on .  On both versions of headlights I think.

So far I have seen exactly one case ( working on vanagons only full time )   of a faulty high/low beam switch . And 83 Westy would not return from high beams to low beams, 'sometimes' ... It could even go from High Beams on to 'no lights at all.'

Interestingly ....the actual switching part is not in mechanism that has the turn signal high/low beam stock on it ........that part operates the actual switch contacts that are in the other mechanism ...the part that has the wiper stalk on it.
   Van Cafe explains this nicely on their site.

There's very clever wiring in Vanagons ..
not always quite like you'd normally expect ..but cleverly designed.

Scott
www.turbovans.com


On 10/15/2012 5:23 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> The outer lamps have both high and low beam (dipped) beam filaments. Thus
> the three wires to each bulb.
>
> Low beams, outer lights low beam filament.
> High beams, all four lighted.
>
> Now for the confusing part, the dimmer switch has an extra contact for
> "flashing" the high beams. So it is possible that when the low beams are on,
> lifting the lever will turn on the high and low beams simultaneously. Wait,
> there is more! This contact is feed directly and is powered without the
> headlight or ignition switch allowing the high beams to flashed at any time.
> So if the ignition is off, the headlight switch on, lifting the lever will
> allow a back feed that will operate the wipers and turn signals.
>
> Want brighter lights and you can remember to turn them off. Find the
> headlight feed wire to the switch. Disconnect and re feed it from the
> connection going to the flasher contact is. Takes the load off the ignition
> switch and eliminates that voltage drop.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> JRodgers
> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 2:30 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Proper Headlight Configuration
>
> When the headlights are operated, what is the correct light configuration?
>
> 1)Low beams only - high beams off
> 2)High beams only - low beams off
> 3)High Beams and Low beams on together
>
> Which combinations are correct?
>
> Got some wiring issues to fix. Just need to know.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>