Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 14:00:54 EDT
Reply-To: GMBulley@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: GMBulley@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Headlight Warning Buzzer??
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 8/12/98 1:30:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
rlpa80@EMAIL.SPS.MOT.COM writes:
<< Am I missing a component or does a 1986 Vanagon Gl Syncro not ship with a
headlight warning buzzer? I have walked away from Glacie twice now without
having switched off the headlight switch. The headlights are turned off by the
ignition key switch but, the running lights stay on and drain the battery:( I
am used to driving with my headlights on and I would like to continue, but I
am getting tired of walking home. Any suggestions (beyond the obvious >>
John-Reed--
I'm not raggin' on you, but like most cars, unfortunately VW relies on YOU to
remember to turn of the lights...in fact, VW does you a "solid" and meets you
half way, "I'll remember to turn off your headlights, if you just remember to
turn yours parking lights off", pretty d*mned courteous!
You can do a number of things to rectify your situation (beyond the obvious).
1, Buy one of those fancy batteries with the little yellow handle; the one
where you lift the little yellow handle, and it gives you enough juice for a
start or two. $100-- the joker at the store put it in, and you put it in right
when you get home.
2, In this same vein, buy one of those fancy self-switchin' battery-
isomolators. These isolate the battery if'n you are a momentary dope, and
leave your lights on. We've all done it, some just get farther from the car
before they realize it. Check JC Whitney for this one, seems like its about
$30.00-- half hour of your time in the driveway, no sweat.
3, If you are super smrt, smat, smert, I mean smart, you could check the
schematic for the headlight/ignition switches, and figure out WHICH wire VW
'disconnects' to turn off the headlights when you turn off the ignition
switch. Then piggyback, (with a relay, or a Darryl-Boehler-designed device)
onto that pair of contacts, ALL of the juice for ALL of the external lights
controlled by the UN-turned-off headlight switch. Now THAT would be smart,
except you then have to have your car turned on (keys in the ignition, switch
to ON) any time you wanted even your parking lights on, and that might suck.
$20 in relay, wire and six-pack of beer -- couple of hours to dissassmble
dash/steering coloumn, three weeks of cussing trying to get it all back
together without squeeks and rattles.
Without stating the obvious, or making snide remarks, those are my best
suggestions. :)
gmbulley
cary, NC
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