That sounds odd!  Sounds like your ignition has lost power and is somehow
getting it through the headlight switch.  I bet it has something to do with
how your headlights are supposed to shut off while the ignition switch is in
the 'starter' posistion.  Without looking at the wiring myself, I can only
suggest two things, a fire extinguisher and an immediate trip to a wiring
guru.

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Meeks" <jmeeks@GASLIGHTMEDIA.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Starting issue

> Jim,
>
>         >Also is there any simple way to stop the warning buzzer from
buzzing?
>
> I put a piece of electrical tape over the buzzer grille. The sound is very
> tolerable now. It's located in the fuse block, top row in my '91.
>
>         >I can only start my 90' GL if either the parking or
>   >headlights are turned on.I'd like to know if this is a normal
situation,
>
> AFIK this is waaay not normal. I have never seen a Vanagon like this.
Sorry
> I have no idea what the cause would be.
>
> John Meeks
> Top of Lower Michigan
> 91 Westfalia MultiVan
>
> sign up for the Vanagon Rescue Squad
> www.vanagonauts.com?catid=74
>
>
>   >-----Original Message-----
>   >From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
>   >Of hosel
>   >Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 5:47 AM
>   >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>   >Subject: Starting issue
>   >
>   >
>   >Can anyone help?
>   >
>   >I asked this question before but got no response. So I don't know if
>   >this is even a normal situation or not. The manual for the van is vague
>   >on this point. I can only start my 90' GL if either the parking or
>   >headlights are turned on. This is crazy, even for Germans to do, if in
>   >fact, it's engineered into the van. It's much to easy to forget to turn
>   >the parking lights off during the day, and so, in the interest of
>   >safety, you're stranded because of a dead battery. I like options in my
>   >life.
>   >
>   >I'd like to know if this is a normal situation, and if so, can it be
>   >undone? Or does everyone just put up with it? On the other hand, what
>   >mankind has created, mankind can uncreate.
>   >
>   >Also is there any simple way to stop the warning buzzer from buzzing?
>   >That's almost as bad a sound as those backup warning noises on
>   >trucks..... Again it's a issue of freedom of expression - to make an
>   >obnoxious noise or not...
>   >
>   >Thanks for any consideration and/or information on these two subjects.
>   >Jim
>   >90' GL
>   >
>