In a message dated 08/07/2008 10:07:46 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Hi  Volks,

Tonight at dusk I drove home from my brothers house... by the  time I
arrived at home it was dark enought to notice that my headlights  were
not working. Trying the high beams lit up the road for a moment, but  as
soon as I release the lever the highbeams die out again.

I had  enough time to verify that the low beam fuses are still good, but
I wasn't  able to dig any further.

Is this the dreaded headlight switch meltdown?  Anyone near Toronto have
a suitable replacement part available? Can I  borrow one from my Dad's
1980 aircooled van for the short term?

I  guess I'll be  adding relays to prevent the next switch from  repeating
this performance.

OK,  here we go again, at least once a week we have this same message.  When
are  all of you on this LIST going to install headlight relays and a new
headlight  switch ?  And maybe, just maybe, carry a spare switch ?  Do we have to
repeat this message once a week, Maybe I'll put it on auto notification to be
sent to the LIST once a week.  So, one more time - see my _Vanagon Headlamp
Relay  Upgrade_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/hdltrela.htm)  webpage for the
whole story and how to fix it !

        Greg, as for the switch I  can get you a brand new one from Auto
Camping.  Headlamp switch, 9383V, 251  941 531 M   -  $29.95.  AND, all Vanagon
headlight  switches 1980 ~ 1991 are about the same and will work for you.  The
'91s  had a different circuit for the daytime running lights but will still
work for  yours.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15,  2008