IMO, VW had little choice but to modify the old simple and reliable
point to point fuse panel, just like other car makers. Market
requirements mandated the ability to add an ever growing list of
options, mixed and matched to suit varying customers and regions. VW
standardized on a panel that could be used across the product line so
workers and service people could learn one vehicle and apply most of it
to any other VW. The modular approach to sub harnesses gave a versatile
and more easy to assemble vehicle electrical system with so many
possible combinations. VW phased in this modern type fuse/relay panel on
all of their vehicles starting in the early 80s. The vanagon was the
last to get it, AFAIK. In fact many of the cars used the very same panel
as the 86+ Vanagons.

I will grant that the lack of fuses of any kind on some of the key
circuits seems ill advised. This same weakness is also present in the
pre 86 models. Basically the entire ignition, fuel pump, and fuel
injection circuitry runs without any fuses, on all years of Vanagons.

Mark

Dennis Haynes wrote:

>Not only is the new style fuse box somewhat complicated, it is prone to
>many failures. Especially for those circuits where the fuse box is
>basically a connection point to get from one harness to another. The
>Pins and sockets on those connectors occasionally overheat, or corrode
>or otherwise go bad. My favorite is the ignition circuit. It goes from
>the key switch into one of the connectors, then out through another to
>connect to the coil and ECU in the back. In and out, and it doesn't even
>go through a fuse! I almost got stuck at a truck stop in North Dakota
>with this. A jumper took care of it. The temp gauge and oil pressure
>sensors also do this trick.
>
>