That ground 16 is explained on 97.66. Look at the bottom of the page and
current track 104.

I have written about the dash ground harness weakness various times over
the years. VW connected too many things to a single ground point and if
that single point gets bad all kinds of screwy things happen. Best to
isolate the cluster ground with it's own wire tied to a screw. Then the
other dash stuff will not feed back into the instrument cluster.

You do have a 1985 with a 1985 cluster I hope?

Mark

Michael Diehr wrote:
> Ok, more info:
>
> I'm 99% sure it's not the headlight switch, as I've isolated the
> problem : when I short across connector 30 to 58b (instrument panel
> lite dim), instead of getting instrument panel lights, some of the
> LEDs light up.  If I do this while the engine is running, then the
> tach and clock go dead.
>
> According to Bentley page 97.63, this current track goes as follows:
>
> terminal 30 on headlight switch to terminal 58b on headlight switch
> via the dimmer
> Fuse S13
> Track 68 (cigarette lighter light)
> Track 67 (blower fan control lever light)
> (to a mysterious circle labeled 22)
> to the instrument panel lights via T14 connector 1
> out to instrument panel ground via T14 connector 3
> To ground, labeled 16
>
> If I had to guess, I'd guess that Ground #16 is bad.  However, there
> is no ground #16 listed in benteley on page 97.60.
>
> I checked and cleaned the other grounds (including ground #10 the star
> connector above the fuse box -- however my van only has one star
> connector there).
>
> Any idea where ground "16" lives?
>
>
>
> On Dec 22, 2008, at 11:14 AM, Ken Wilford wrote:
>
>> It does sound like a ground issue to me as well.  Check the grounds
>> that
>> are located behind the fuse panel.  You should be able to remove a
>> couple of screws and drop the panel down and you will see the ground
>> connections to the left.  There are a bunch and they are clustered
>> together on a grounding "star" connector.  Check each ground on these
>> two connectors and clean them as you go.  You will probably find that
>> one of the ends of the ground wires has broken and you will need to
>> crimp a new one on.  That is what I believe is going on.  The ground
>> has
>> gone bad and the headlights are seeking a ground through the
>> instrument
>> cluster.  You shouldn't need a new headlight switch but if you find
>> you
>> need something please let me know.
>>
>> Ken Wilford
>> John 3:16
>> www.vanagain.com
>>
>>
>> Michael Diehr wrote:
>>> 1985 Westy -- just last night started misbehaving.   Symptoms:  with
>>> ignition off + headlight switch on, three LEDs in the dashboard glow.
>>> With engine running + headlight switch off - normal.   Engine running
>>> + headlight switch on, all dash instruments (including lighting) go
>>> dead.   The load reduction relay seems to work fine (e.g. headlights
>>> on + ignition on = headlights work, and when you crank the starter
>>> the
>>> headlights go out).  Toggling high beams doesn't do anything weird.
>>> This sounds like a ground issue from a failing headlight switch?
>>> Wiggling the ignition key doesn't seem to change anything in any
>>> state.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately the van is about to go on a long trip, so need the part
>>> asap etc.  Are there any surefire diagnostics I can do?  I have
>>> voltmeter & bentley.  Thanks!
>>>
>
>