Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2013 12:18:45 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Loss of head lights, wipers and rear heater blower
In-Reply-To: <8528D65C-4FF8-42CD-B753-81D8741DC91B@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
While I agree that the headlight circuit has much to be desired, as does so
much of the electrical system, I don't think it is fair to say that all
Vanagons require this. Electrical stuff can and will fail. If you get 10-20
years out of a switch the design can't be all that bad. The relays can
increase headlight output but more should also be done. The downside of the
relay upgrade is that they do introduce another point of failure.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Frank Condelli
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 8:26 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Loss of head lights, wipers and rear heater blower
Good advice from Mark. However, a bit more info here. One of the
main reasons this occurs is that the switch is overloaded, mainly from the
headlight circuit. Every Vanagon needs to have the Headlight Relay Kit
installed to prevent this from occurring again after the switch is replaced.
The main headlight switch will eventually fail for the same reason. To
further your knowledge read the document I have on my website where I sell
these relay kits:
<http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product
&path=61_78&product_id=1007>
and
<http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product
&path=61_78&product_id=1008>
On Dec 25, 2013, at 1:52 PM, Automatic digest processor
<LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> That set of symptoms points to the ignition switch and nothing else.
>
> It has happened on countless Vanagons. The replacement switches fit
> just about every VW made 60s,70s,80s so it is cheap and easy to get one.
>
> You can get a replacement switch and easily hook it up without
> actually installing it. That will get you on the road and let you do
> the full installation at a time and place of your choosing. For the
> quick solution you need both a phillips and a flat blade screwdriver.
> 2 phillips screws to remove the lower cover from the steering column.
> Unplug the harness from the key switch. Plug the replacement switch
> into the harness. Use the flat blade screwdriver to operate the
> switch. You still need the key to unlock the steering.
>
> VW# 111 905 865L
>
> Every traveling Vanagon should carry a spare ignition switch in the
> glovebox IMHO.
Please note that I will be away from my business travelling
from December 02 until April 30, 2014. Parts orders will be processed
although not as quickly as usual. I will always be available for contact by
E-mail. If you phone your call will be addressed by Joe Wallace here and he
will either call you back or advise you to contact me directly by E-mail.
Details of this adventure are on our Travel Blog:
http://frankcondelli.com/travels/ Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel
Trains (Collection for sale) Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon
Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley BusFusion a VW Camper camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 05 ~ 08, 2014