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Subject:Re: Lost all power; regained engine, but no headlights, wipers
From:Mike Miller
Date:Fri, 2 Oct 2009 10:29:40 -0700

Check the ignition. Sounds like that could be it.

Given that I'm not much of a mechanic that's what I've read on this list.

Mike

On 10/2/09 10:02 AM, "Mark Hersh" <cmwolfsburg@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> 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/