Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 22:42:45 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Rigging up spare Rear Defogger Switch to do other stuff
In-Reply-To: <1651793530.1336870.1585866209099@mail.yahoo.com>
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Oh....I had a flash of inspiration. I've been focusing on the external connections mostly. What if?....it's an internal connection issue? Inside that seldom used Rear Defogger Switch? Like corroded 35 year old connection points inside? I know that I discovered a similar issue with my Safety Flasher switch, which in turn caused all kinds of bewildering behavior on Blinker lights; the solution in that case was to remove switch, spray generous amount of electrical contact cleaner into switch, actuate it like 50 times!!, maybe add a little more contact cleaner and actuate another 50 times, and then blow out stuff. It WORKED for Safety Flasher switch....it also might work for Rear Defogger Switch and funky amber light. They are next door neighbors in the Vanagon Dash, and both have about the same frequency of use. Cheap quick and easy to try.
Rich
San Diego
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, 3:23:49 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
This is kind of a funny coincidence: I mean here in Southern California with garage kept Vanagon, I NEVER use the Rear Window Defogger feature. Even when camping...I generally wait a little before driving, and by the time I do there is no Rear Window visibility issue. Just for fun a few months ago, I turned on my Rear Defogger Switch....and could see no indicator light....I distinctly remember (probably decades ago was the last time I switched it on) that it was bright! Glowing amber, readily visible. I assumed that heating element on the glass surface or the connector to the wires on rear window was funky, but since I never use it, I quickly forgot about exploring the problem. I easily could have muffed up something when doing my occasional washing of interior rear window, or maybe just a corroded connector. All of it is still a mystery for me.
Rich
San Diego
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, 3:13:59 PM PDT, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
My amber light is dim on both de frogger and fog light switches , for what’s that worth.
Alistair
> On Apr 2, 2020, at 3:09 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> I tried hooking it up as you suggested Mark, and got the same results as you; my drycell voltage was around 12 VDC instead of 9 VDC like your setup, and still the amber light is pretty dim, to the point of being unusable in normal daytime situations driving. To keep things simple, I think I'm going to use the rocker switch without the indicator light.....one less thing to try and figure out 5 years from now when things stop working for whatever reason. I tested everything indoors in a dimly lit room.....ya know, I originally thought that amber light was an LED but now I'm not so sure....may just be a light pipe utilizing a tiny incandescent bulb, like the bulb for the one nearby to help you find the switch on the dash at night.
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> On Thursday, April 2, 2020, 6:27:05 AM PDT, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
>
> I have 2 used stock switches in my hand.
> Testing with a 9 volt battery.
> Polarity doesn't matter to either light.
> The amber external light only lights when the switch is on and doesn't
> care which large pin has power. Switch off, light off.
>
> I'm tempted to open one up.
>
> Mark
>
>>
>> You'e working too hard. What Dennis said -- brown goes to ground and
>> gray/blue (not blue/gray) goes to any gray/blue wire under the dash. That
>> will take care of panel lighting and and the power-on light. Note that
>> power to the switch has to cone on the correct wire or the light will be on
>> constantly.
>>
>> Yrs,
>> d
>>
>
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