At 05:34 PM 11/5/2008, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>When my '84 does that I just drive it.  It seems to 'dry out ' and stop
>after a while.

Jake, yours is probably the gauge.  Leaky electrolytic cap that
almost prevents the blink from shutting off in three seconds as it
should, tipped over the edge by humidity causing leakage across the
board.  Like a lot of VW circuits this one is wicked sensitive (i.e.
high-impedance).  Cure is replace the large capacitor inside the
gauge.  Not difficult if you can do reasonably delicate
soldering.  You have to drill out the face rivets and unsolder the
delicate leads to the gauge movement, then unsolder the board from
its mounting to get to the cap.  Tantalum cap is best for replacement
but aluminum ok.  Remember polarity matters.

--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage," '85 GL "Poor Relation"