Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2021 06:43:35 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Headlights
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6mDJRrt53VXdaHxfuzWe-=87vzbA2+ky6v_PmEfXdYoeQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I did the same thing with Cibie Airports. I installed a switch below my dash that operates the front lights in one direction and a very bright rear LED light for backing into campsites at night, etc. both are relayed. The switch sits on a metal bracket with a graphic of a westy side view. Throwing the switch in the front or rear direction of the graphic operates the respective lights.
Jim
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 22, 2021, at 5:50 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Here's an emergency set up in my van...
>
> A long time ago during my first years I got a headlight switch problem (no
> low beam, high beam is OK if I hold the headlight stalk up)... So I bought
> a set of Hella Rally lights (or fog lights) and bolted them on the front
> bumper, wired to a switch on the dash with a relay, independent from the
> headlight switch...
>
> oh yeah ... later on the famous headlight switch failed again at night
> during a trip ... so I turned those Hella Rally lights ON and kept going...
>
> just a thought... Those Hella Rally lights do help on twisty roads... a
> real plus...
>
>> On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 2:44 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the guidance on this, Folks. Tracking down electrical
>> gremlins always gives me migraines!
>>
>> On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 4:26 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Intermittent headlights usually indicate a bad wiring connection. Could
>>> also be a bad switch. Going back to 1971 the headlights are powered off
>> the
>>> X contact on the ignition switch. On the Vanagon the high lever is
>> powered
>>> directly from the fuse box, battery connection. So operating the lever
>>> bypasses the ignition and headlight switch. Since the lights do work with
>>> the lever pulled the ground is good. Bad ground would have only the high
>>> beam indicator light but no lights. If ignition switch than other stuff
>>> operated by the X contact such as the heater fans would also not work.
>> The
>>> X contact also operates the load reduction relay. On the later vans the
>>> contacts at the back of the fuse box do fail so you may need to
>> diagnose. I
>>> would start at the headlight switch. Get the Bentley, follow the circuit,
>>> and test for the failure.
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of John
>>> Rodgers
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 1:28 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Headlights
>>>
>>> Headlights have started cutting off and on. The high beams fail more
>>> often than the low beams but they both do it. By pulling the switch stalk
>>> on the steering column they will stay on as long as I hold it back. Has
>>> anyone with ideas as to what this is all about? Do I need a new headlight
>>> switch. Or other?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>
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