turned out it was just my fuse for the licence light that need to be replaced... 

From: Rich Bennington <rich.bennington@CHARTER.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Killed my dash lights..

> On Jul 22, 2006, at 5:28 PM, Mark C wrote:
> 
> > I was replacing the lights for the AT 'shift' housing, the heater
> > control, et.. had to the bulb holders, since I still had the welded
> > bulb version...   the last holder to go.. for the AT... was too
> > loose.. I tightened the crimps.. too tight.. finally get it right..
> > but in the processes shorted something out... now none of the lights
> > work, but no#3 fuse is still good... the radio light blinks still...
> > but my little bulb lights are not working ... even putting a new bulb
> > does nothing... so if its not the fuse and not the bulb... where do I
> > look?
> >
> 
> Other ideas:
> 1. On my vanagon, the dash lights went out intermittently - I found the
> potentiometer on the dash light dimmer had partially fried - when you have
> it in just the right position, it worked!  I just bypassed it so it's always
> full brightness, now.
> 2. Look for cuts or pulled out connectors to the dash console.  It's easy to
> remove.
> 3. Disconnect battery, then do continuity checks using a volt-ohmmeter to
> trace down the signal that drives the dash lights.  It ain't getting there.
> You need the Bently wiring diagrams.
> 

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