Wes, I have an '84.  The rear window defrost light is totally separate from
the other panel lights.  It will do strange things unless engine is on and
then it only runs defrost for a set amount of time.

Right now, I am w/o lights on my '84 to see the speedometer, etc., at night.
I have not gotten around to ordering a new headlight switch, which also has
the dimmer for the instrument panel lights.

Make sure you have a wiring diagram for the instrument cluster in your van.
Mine is not the original as I had to buy a new one a few years back, and I
had to rewire 14-pin connector to get things right.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wesley Pegden" <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: Electrical Riddle (my dash...)

>I should have mentioned: I have an '84 1.9l.
>
> -Wes
>
>
> Wesley Pegden wrote:
>
>> After enjoying a brief few hours of functioning behavior, my dash lights
>> are once again not functioning.  However, my dash is displaying activity
>> worthy of a car-talk puzzler.
>>
>> The little indicator light on the rear defrost switch will not always be
>> on when the switch is on.  It will come on with the switch if EITHER
>>
>> the key is in the on position and the headlight switch is off
>> or
>> the key is in the off position and the headlight switch is on.
>>
>> If either both the key and headlight switch are turned off, or on, the
>> light on the defrost switch is unaffected.
>>
>> So, any ideas?  I'm totally stumped.  None of the other dash lights
>> appear at all out of the ordinary.  Turn signal indicator, high beam
>> indicator, hazard switch indicator, gauges, etc., are all fine.
>>
>> Thanks for any help!
>>
>> Oh, and when the defrost light is not working, it displays the same
>> behavior as the dash lights, coming on for a brief moment and then going
>> off.  However, with the defrost switch, there is a middle point where it
>> will stay on.  With the headlight switch, there isn't.  Puzzling!
>>
>> -Wes
>>
>