Date:         Tue, 4 Dec 2012 02:36:04 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Time to replace headlight?
Comments: To: Peter Krogh <peter@PETERKROGH.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <748279E7-4A32-403B-8FCD-9F726EF632CF@peterkrogh.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 12:36 AM 12/4/2012, Peter Krogh wrote:
>The round sealed beam headlights on my 85 are very dim - almost ran
>over a neighbor the other day.
>Battery and voltage regulator are new.
>Headlights not replaced in way more than a decade, if ever.
>
>Should I start by ordering new bulbs, or by cleaning
>switches/connections/grounds?

Peter, you should be able to get new sealed-beam lamps in any FLAPS
in the North American continent.  I think the number is 6012 or
6014.  However, just look at yours.  If the lenses and reflectors are
darkened, pitch them and get a new set of halogens.  In fact, get a
new set of halogens anyway unless the existing ones already are.

But you need to measure the voltage across the lamp terminals when
they're lit, and if it's not within a say half a volt or so of the
battery voltage then you have to use the voltmeter on low range and
measure across connectors and from connector to connector to find out
where the voltage is going.  Then fix it.

Yrs,
d