Jim,

Don't feel bad. I think it was several years before I noticed this also, and it
may have taken reading it on the list before I did notice - I don't recall for
sure. I generally only use 12V on weekend day trips, or if the gas goes out
when driving, which happens on occasion on really rough, steep roads. I
think the reason I didn't notice is the lack of any need for a pilot when on
12V... just turn it on, drive, and wait a good long time for it to get cold... ;-)

On 27 Mar 2007 at 21:22, Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET> wrote:

> Well, they're not working normally in that the fridge doesn't cool.
> So, I've got to get to the bottom of that.  I'm pleased to find out
> that the fridge LED comes on in 12V mode, but I've never noticed it
> before, and this is something that I've spent many hours paying
> attention to over the last four years or so. I've never seen the LED
> come on unless I was using gas. I'm not disputing your statement that
> LED operation is normal, just surprised at myself for not noticing it
> after how many times I've watched the thing. I've camped in it a good
> bit.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> On Mar 27, 2007, at 9:17 PM, Dennis wrote:
>
> > Sounds like things are working normally. The need to goose the gas
> > after
> > starting for the alternator to turn on is normal, especially in the
> > campers. I've explained this before. The 12v operation will light the
> > flame indicator lamp, again normal. The fridge will not cool
> > instantly,
> > normal. The element may be defective, current test can tell that.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of
> > Jim Felder
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:10 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: MORE 12v fridge not working info
> >
> > Here's some more info, now that I've had a few minutes to check it
> > out.
> >
> > It's worth noting that this is a diesel, they have a notorious
> > feature where the alternator light doesn't go off until you get the
> > revs a little about idle, then the light goes out and stays out. It
> > has to do with this problem.
> >
> > I noticed on the way back into town last night that the fridge was
> > warm after some hours on the road. Further investigation shows that
> > although all the gas is off, the gas LED glows when the fridge is
> > switched to 12V.
> >
> > If I start the car **with the fridge switch in the 12V position** and
> > don't goose the engine, the fridge LED doesn't come on.
> >
> > As soon as I goose the engine to get the alternator light to go out,
> > the LED for the gas pilot comes on.
> >
> > Geza P. suggested checking the two fuses on the B pillar, and that
> > wasn't it.
> >
> > Somebody else is having the problem as well, as they have emailed me
> > about it. But I don't have any answers yet.
> >
> > Guesses?
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA