I have had my diesel Westy shut down for a few weeks now, due to a puff of
smoke from under the dash that I never could find the source of.  In the
process of looking I had the chance to maintain a number of things including
a lot of electrical connections and the ignition switch, which was the last
thing installed.

Once I reconnected the battery, I checked the function of everything in the
run mode, all ok.  Went to start it and no action, i.e. no drain on battery,
no sound, no start.

I pulled the steering lock assembly (again) and installed my old switch
after testing both the new and old ignition switches.  Both ignition swiches
worked when turned with a screwdriver, but neither would work when installed
in the lock assembly.  All other contacts worked fine (s, X, etc.) whether
in or out of the lock assembly.

Luckily I had a spare lock assembly with a different lock/key in storage, so
I installed the new switch in this alternate lock assembly and tested this.
It worked fine.  Reinstalled in the vanagon and all worked well except now I
have a different key for ignition and the rest of the car.  Anyone have any
clue as to why this lock assembly stopped working?  It actually feels better
than the alternate lock I had to install today.  Is this something that a
good locksmith could fix?

I will also compose a separate email about my starter, which has for a while
been making a noise at startup like either a dry bushing or hanging
solenoid.  I can recommend, however that the results overall of thoroughly
cleaning all contacts on the instrument cluster foil, and the T14 connector,
as well as any others you can get to will do wonders.  It's like a new
vehicle now.

--
Alan Felder
Austin TX
82 Diesel Westy