Thanks to everyone who has replied.  Looks like a bit of melting near the X
and 30 spades on the switch.

I will get a new ig switch tomorrow am and make the test.

On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 1:57 PM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:

> BTDT.  Most likely ignition switch.  Pull the connector off the switch and
> look for a hot (melted plastic) spot.
>
> Karl Wolz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Mark Hersh
> Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 10:03 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Lost all power; regained engine, but no headlights, wipers
>
> We were driving home yesterday in our 86 Weekender (2.1 WBX, automatic)
> after a two-week trip along the OR coast (mostly).  Our headlights were on
> almost the entire time because of safety reasons (drove mostly US 101).
> Didn't need wipers much but they worked OK when needed.
>
> Around 7 AM yesterday the camper lost all power while simply driving (45-50
> mph).  Lights, wipers, engine.  All came back on after a few seconds.
>  After
> about a minute, it did it again.  I had to drive a bit to find a safe place
> to pull over.  Then it died again while parked.  Left it off for about 10
> minutes while we fed and walked the dogs around a bit.
>
> Started it back up and while it started and idled OK, we had no headlights
> or wipers (front and rear).  Parking lights, turn signals, horn, and
> emergency flashers were OK.  High beam headlights would come on if I
> activated the high/low dimmer switch (pulled in on the stem).  I think the
> rear window defog is out also.  Not sure about fresh air fan or rear heater
> fan.
>
> We ran straight home for the next 3+ hours, stopping only to buy a squeegee
> at a hardware store.  Started and ran OK after stopping.  Luckily we had
> only a few minutes of drizzle around Olympia.
>
> Once home, I had a new headlight switch and popped off the cluster cover
> and
> installed it, thinking perhaps that the feed for all those other went
> through there and maybe it was fried (it was suspect, so I had a new
> switch;
> have not gotten around to the headlight upgrade (relay) upgrade yet).  But
> no change.
>
> I have not checked all the fuses, figuring that to blow five or so separate
> circuits is unlikely.  I did check the wiper fuse and it is OK as I
> suspected.  I'm guessing that some junction somewhere is fried... ignition
> switch?  I have a Bentley's and could probably study the diagrams
> (97.67-97.84) for a while and maybe figure it out but thought I'd ask here
> first as I'm sure I'm not the first with this problem.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
> --
> 86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"
>
> Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
> regardless of temperament.  Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
> http://www.blackpearldogs.com/
>
>

--
86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"

Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
regardless of temperament.  Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
http://www.blackpearldogs.com/