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Subject:Re: New Vanagon owner needs some help
From:Kim Brennan
Date:Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:59:53 EDT

In a message dated 8/27/02 11:54:00 PM, Cmpbiker@AOL.COM writes:

>#1 My cruise control which appears factory does not work. I found the fuse
>under the steering column and it is good and receiving 12 volts with the
>ignition on. All of the wiring I could trace appears in good condition.
>Any
>ideas I can try until I have a wiring diagram?

Here's a simple one. Check the back of the speedometer/odometer. There should
be a little doohickey with a two prong connector on it...and of course a pair
of wires connected to it. This is the beast that keeps track of what speed
you are at. If it isn't present, you are going to find it difficult to make
your cruise control work. Or, if the wire isn't connected, same thing.

>#2 More electrical. My dome light does not work with any door open. The
>key-in chime works so the switch appears to be good on the drivers side.
>Does
>the "ground" circuit for the "door open light on" have a central point
>of
>failure for all door switches? I need some form of light in the back besides
>the camper light, has anyone found a could system to mount closer to the
>door?

As I recall (I'll be certainly corrected if I'm wrong), all the switches work
by opening the connection to ground. Or, rather, they close the connection to
ground when you open the appropriate door. So, check the light bulb. Make
sure it is good. Then check the hot feed to the light bulb. Then you can
check the continuity between the switched "ground" side of the light bulb and
each of the switches. My hunch is the switched "ground" side of your bulb
holder is corroded and doesn't provide enough continuity to the door
switches.