Sounds like the alternator trigger, (indicator light) circuit is not wired
correctly. The indicator light serves three purposes.
1) lets you know the alternator is not charging.
2) provide some current to the rotor to create some magnetism so the
alternator can start.
3) provides a high resistance so the alternator output does not back feed
when the ignition is turned off thus keeping the engine running.

The campers have the light circuit modified to allow for the fridge relay.
If you disconnected the fridge relay, you may have this problem. The relay
is needed to load that modified circuit down to prevent the engine run on.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil N
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 7:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Ignition turned "off", engine stays on. Pull up handbrake engine
goes off??

Trust me to have such a strange thing happen.

Earlier I posted that my Jetta conversion wouldn't shut off with the
key. I had missed a wire in the Jetta harness. Fixed it. Since then,
no turning off problem. But....

Today, I pull over to check something and the engine wouldn't shut off.

Huh?

Get this.

With engine running, key turned to "off", I pull the handbrake up and
engine stops!

Did this 3 times exactly the same way. Seems to happen just as e-brake
light goes on. (though this light didn't come on with engine running.
Had to guesstimate that one) After that it was fine.

Any pointers on where to look first?

I'll start with behind the dash.

If anything, hope this provided a laff! --- :^)

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engi
nes
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/