Why would you use that wire to run gauges? They should be fed off an
ignition circuit. That contact is not able to handle much current and you
would be surprised how much some gauges can consume. I often use this
contact to control stereo systems and when the contact becomes intermittant,
it is usually the electrical part of the switch that fails. If the lock
properl operates the steering lock, it will operate a good switch.

BTW proper operation is the switch doesn't engage until the key is turned,
then it should stay closed until the key is removed.

Dennis

>From: Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: electrical question - ignition switch
>Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:33:27 -0600
>
>ok, seems like nobody knows. Some more testing revealed that this is not
>standard behavior, but a bad ignition switch. the power on that cable now
>comes on when i move the key around a little in the ign on position.
>well I am glad the switch is messing with that cable, and not any of the
>ones that are important to run the engine.
>now, next question, can i transfer the lock from a spare ignition switch
>into this one?
>
>thanks
>florian
>
>On Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 4:47 PM, Florian Speier <groups.florian@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > on an 1987 u.s. spec westy, is the grey black .5mm cable, coming out of
>the
> > ignition switch, supposed to become powered upon the insertion of the
>key
> > and depowered when the key is turned on? i am talking about the cable on
> > track 11, bentley 97.104.
> > I have, until know, used power from there to power my aux gauges, but
>now
> > they only come on with the key in and ign off. no idea what changed
>though.
> >
> > thanks
> > florian
> >