Howard:
This is to report how I used your suggestions to fix a frustrating problem
with my clock.
You and several other List members responded to my plea. (See below.) To
briefly summarize, my clock stopped working after I had a switch installed to
allow me to run my radio, CD and satallite radio off a secondary battery.
Unfortunately, after the switch was installed, my clock no longer worked.

I followed your instructions and determined that power to the clock  had been
cut. However, I was not able to determine where the cut occurred.
Consequently, I resorted to an alternative you and others suggested. I ran  a patch from
the wire that controls the clock to a wire that becomes hot  when the key is
turned on.

The key hot wire I used was in an open position on  my instrument cluster. On
my 1989 Vanagon Camper instrument  cluster, this is the position just below
the emergency light switch and the rear  defroster switch. Behind the blank
plastic I found a female plug with one  hot key wire. I spliced that wire into
the number 5 wire on the multi-pin  connector for the instrument panel. As you
explained, that wire and  pin control the clock.

I am very pleased to report that this fix was successful! The clock  works!
The solution I used is not the first alternative you suggested but,  since I
was unable to identify where the power had been cut, this fix was  the next
best route.

I am grateful to you and the several other List members who took the time  to
offer their suggestions. Thank you, one and all. I hope that I can return the
 favor.

Dan Roberts
1989 4 speed camper with a Boston Bob rebuild

In a message dated 5/5/2006 3:47:56 P.M. Central Standard Time,
raceingcajun47@bellsouth.net writes:

Hello  Dan,

I'm shooting in the dark here without seeing the  van, but here goes.

The power to the clock comes from the  same fuse as the radio (S-3, its a
15 amp) so depending on where they cut  the feed to your radio, they must
have interrupted the power to the clock.  The light for the clock is tied
into the dash light circuit, and you say  the clock light works, so no
problem there. Also the idiot lights have a  common ground (oil, alt, etc) so
if there working then the ground to the  clock is also good.
To check for power to the clock you will  have to pull the instrument
cluster. Find the 14 wire multi-pin connector  at the instrument assemble.
Check connector plug number "T 14 - pin number  5", you should have power
there when the key is on. If there is power, your  clock is the problem, if
no power then the circuit is interrupted some  where between "T 14 - pin #5"
and fuse # S - 3.
A quick  fix may be to run a patch wire from "T 14, pin #5, to a key hot
connection  on your fuse box.
Did the radio shop disconnect your clock?  If the above check shows you
have "NO" power to the clock feed at "T 14,  pin #5, with the key on. Then
the answer is yes!

Feel  free to show this to the radio shop if they give you a hard time.
Also it  is your decision as to rather you want to run a patch, or fix it
right, by  have them pulling a bunch of components looking for the power
break. They  most likely don't have a wiring diagram and were shooting blind,
and going  on somewhat limited Volkswagen experience! By the way, I will be
glad to  sell them a "copy" of the wiring diagram for $25.00.
Good  luck, let me know how it comes out. Don't worry about making
request for  help, that is why I subscribe to this list. Keeps my old retired
mind busy,  and out of trouble! ;-)

Howard

ASE Master Technician, Master  Registered Volkswagen Technician.
With 30 plus years Volkswagen Dealership  experience

----- Original Message -----
From: "-- Dan Roberts"  <DanielCRoberts@AOL.COM>
To:  <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 12:34  AM
Subject: clock problem - persistant

> I previously wrote to  the List about this problem and said it would be my
> last request, but  I received no responses so want to try once more. If
it's detail I'm  lacking please let me know.
>
> Brief history:
> I had a  local radio installation shop do some minor  electrical work on  my
> 1989 Camper  Vanagon. They installed a switch  which  allows me to turn
on/off the radio/cd/cigarette lighter/XM   radio--separately from my ignition. I
also
had all of   this equipment  run off my secondary deep cycle battery.
Consequently, I can run these  options at night while I'm reading,  sleeping, etc.
without worry
that the primary battery may run  down. (I also used an isolator when I
installed
the second battery.)
Unfortunately, the repair person somehow disconnected my clock  while
doing this repair, or otherwise damaged the connections. I tried  installing
another known reliable clock and it too failed to function.  Incidentally,
the repair guy refused to accept responsibility for this  problem. He argued
the  matter was a coincidence and I had a faulty  clock.

The light behind the clock does work. However, I am at a loss as  to  what
may account for the clocks failure to run --- or even  appear in the clock
window. The clock is still present in its correct  position but cannot be
seen. If you look at the dash opening intended  for the clock, what you see
is an
illuminated green but blank  space.
>
You have helped me through many problems and I hope you can  help me  solve
this one. BTW, I have researched past postings regarding  clock problems
without success in solving this  problem.
>
Please consider your  experiences repairing clock  problems and their
possible relevance to  this situation. Any and  all suggestions will be  much
appreciated. Someone  out there knows  what to do or check that will make
the difference.
>
>  Regards,
> Dan Roberts
>
>
> --
>  >