hi agian, Dennis, David B. et all -

what I had not forumulated or expressed properly, about how can the igntion
switch could cause headlights to not work is....

you'd think if it can supply power for 'Igntion On' it would also supply
power to the headlights ...
like power for those two would come from the same contact in the igntion
switch - perhaps.

and just glancing at the igntion switch in your hands, one might think it's
a basic 'single' layer rotary switch.
Hence my , 'without thinking' assumption that if the swtich can power one
thing it will power another at that same level as well.

however, looking at the ignition switch on  page 97.104 say, for 87 Vanagon
...
they draw the switch like it was ganged toggle switch , but it's not of
course, so the igntion switch must be a rotary switch with more than one
layer of 'disc' in it, if you follow me.

That explains how the ign sw. could send power to the coil, but not to the
headlights ...
the power for those two things, while on the same 'level' in terms of
off/on/strart powering things ... comes from  separate contacts for those
two functions, evidently.     If I said that half clear enough to follow.

thanks for helping me see that.
Scott