Eric,

If your ignition switch is bad, there will be no power to the "X" relay.
This means that you will have other dead items, the rear window defogger,
windshield wipers and front blower fan.  You could check these for power
and/or check for power on the "X" contact on the ignition switch (or even
easier, check for power on the "X" contact on the headlight switch...).

If everything else works, I would change the headlight switch (or at least
try a large wire jumper across the "X" to 56 connections on the switch to
confirm it's bad - don't forget, the key has to be on for the headlights to
come on!).

Don in Reidsville, NC
1986 Kawasaki Concours
1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
"I reject your reality and substitute my own." - Adam Savage
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric M. Spletzer" <eric@CRAFTEDEARTH.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wed 04 May 2005 20:40
Subject: Headlamp Switch or Key Switch?

> Hi All,
>
> Still trying to figure out what's up with my lights.  They'll only turn
> on when I pull the blinker/brights switch back toward the steering
> wheel.  Though my parking lights stay on when the light switch is turned
> on.
>
> I've heard now that it's either the key switch, or the headlight
> switch, and that if it is the headlight switch, I should install the
> relay.
>
> Does anyone know how I can tell which one it is before buying the parts
> or dissembling the dash?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -eric
>
> -------------
> '85 GL Camper (Moby)
> San Francisco, CA