In a message dated 03/05/2005 2:43:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I'm  having an issue with my headlights in my 85 GL Vanagon Westfalia.
I'm  driving along the central valley in CA and stop for a taco.  When  I
come back out, my lights won't turn on UNLESS I pull the switch for  the
brights/flashers back.  I had to make it home with a battery  shoved in
to keep the switch held back.

It didn't seem like a fuse,  or at least I couldn't find one, nor did it
make too much sense since the  lights still worked with the switch
pulled back.  Seems like a switch  issue to me.

Anybody have this happen and know a good fix.  Do I  have to replace the
whole switch unit?  If so, anybody have  one?

Eric, it's most likely the headlight switch.  It's  a very common problem.
The switches cannot handle the current draw of the  headlamps.  Install a new
switch with a relay kit.  The relay kit will  alleviate the high amperage to
the switch. I have one good rebuilt switch,  _Vanagon Used  Parts_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/usedpts.htm)   and new switches, _Vanagon Items  Forsale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm)   and the relay kit, _Vanagon Headlamp
Relay  Upgrade_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/hdltrela.htm)

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com