Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2013, week 5)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 30 Oct 2013 21:33:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Back-up lights
Comments: To: Gene P <olgreywoof@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAKtA5HYY3Y+1Oat+=9kVW6JsQ=NFVFmiLMkaeC=F2XU9TvEJzA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I have a spotlight mounted on my roof with the handle inside within driver's reach, just by the inside mirror. I use that as my back up light as well as my campsight-finding light, my around the camp work light, and various other things...One of my better improvements on my van, an idea carried over from an old splt-window 36 hp cargo panel van I once had...

On Wed, Oct 30, 2013 at 5:53 PM, Gene P <olgreywoof@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Ben. Note to myself: THINK! I know that stuff. > > OK, overs. 87 Wolfsburg, manual, the backup switch with the separate spade > connectors. Also, I've added a relay so the wire from the switch is only > triggering the relay, power for the lights picked up in the wiring box. > New tests with a jumper wire: > 1. Power directly to the feed to the lights, bypassing everything except > wiring from the wiring box to the lights - lights stay on! (Eliminating > bulbs and wiring at the taillights.) > 2. Pull wires from relay and jump feed from switch to feed to lights > (bypassing relay) - lights go out. (Eliminating relay as cause.) > 3. Jump from switch to relay, bypassing harness wiring - lights go out. > 4. Jump from power source to supply side of switch, eliminating wiring from > dash to switch - lights go out. > > I'm just learning electrical, but seems I've eliminated everything except > the switch. And you say a bad switch can cause these symptoms. In each > test, I can keep the lights on by backing very smoothly, riding the clutch > -- either backing abruptly or stopping causes the lights to go out. If a > bad switch can do that, I need a switch. > > Thanks much, > gp > > > On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 11:48 PM, Ben <syncro@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Gene, > > > > It's important to specify which transmission you have. The automatics > have > > their back-up light switches at the shifter console. Whereas, the manual > > trans have their switches at the nose come area. Jostling a loose wire > can > > cause such a problem. A defective switch or bulb can similarly give those > > symptoms. > > > > > > BenT > > sent from my electronic leash > > > > > On Oct 29, 2013, at 11:26 PM, Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > > > > > Question: how can motion extinguish the back-up lights? > > > Symptom: > > > 1. engine off (ignition on), gear in reverse - lights work > > > 2. engine on, gear in reverse - lights work > > > 3. begin to back up, within 10 feet (2 or 3 seconds) lights go out > > > > > > I've gone through these variations many times and it does this every > > > time. Since everything works while my head is in the engine bay, what > > > can I check? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > GeneP > > >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.