Date:         Tue, 11 Nov 1997 15:36:32 EST
Reply-To:     james_f_smith@GROTON.PFIZER.COM
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         james_f_smith@GROTON.PFIZER.COM
Subject:      Re[2]: Electrical Unsolved Mysteries
Comments: To: STEVEN G WACKER <s_j_wacker@juno.com>

Hi Steve-

It sounds like your problem may be more complex, but when my headlights went out

on me a few months ago - I found a fried ground connection (Left side, multiple
connections plugged into side wall under the dash).

My problem was misleading at first - because sometimes when I turned the lights
on, they worked. Then I'd flash the Hi beams, and they'd cut out again.  I tried

swapping relays and fuses etc. but none of those helped.  It was frustrating,
because I'd lower the fuse panel to check things etc, and the lights would work
again.  Put it back, they'd work for a while, then cut out (usually when I was
going 60 mph down some dark country road!)

It turns out that the ground connections are really prone to burning up, and
it's a common problem. (Thanks to Dennis Haynes for the tip!)

When I finally started tracing wires, I noticed a corroded ground connection
with the wire melted to another one.  I changed the connector on the melted wire

(mine was light brown) and the lights have worked great ever since.

Good luck,

Jamie
_______________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Electrical Unsolved Mysteries
From:    STEVEN G WACKER <s_j_wacker@juno.com> at cr_groton_smtp
Date:    11/11/97  3:12 PM

OK, thanks for the suggestions. I drove over to the shop where the Carat
is and started swapping relays...nothing worked. Pulled all the relays on
the Carat and the lights still come on, so I'm thinking I still haven't
found the right relay or maybe it's in the ignition switch, how difficult
is it to swap those out?

So keep those suggestions coming.


Steve and Jo Ann Wacker
San Marcos, Ca.
90 Carat
86 Syncro