Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Chime gone AWOL (86 2.1, AT)
From:Mark Hersh
Date:Fri, 4 Jun 2010 15:32:14 -0700

At the end of our road trip last year, our ignition switch went out (I think
I diagnosed that from posting on the list -- belated thanks!).  Lost wipers
etc.  Made it home.

Got one from NAPA (probably first mistake) and it seemed to work kind of
stiffly to me.  A partial install (w/o taking steering column
apart) indicated the problem was indeed the ig switch (wipers worked).
Everything seemed fine.  I think the chime worked OK.

I squirted some 2-26 electrical contact lube stuff I have in a spray can
probably for 20 years in it for the stiffness problem.  Installed, and
seemed to work OK except no chime.   Some might say good riddance but we
kind of miss it.  I don't like leaving the keys in the ignition.

Fast forward to this spring, bus hard starting when warm, take to my regular
shop, Specialty Motors in Seattle (highly recommended, BTW), cause I figured
some kind of major electrical/fuel fratastat problem.

They said it was a bad ig switch, they replace and bus starts and runs fine
ever since (a few weeks ago).

But still no chime.  Door light, whose switch on the inner pillar also
controls the chime (I think) works OK.

Coincidence?

I'm going to have my snoot under the dash soon installing a headlight relay
kit and figured I would try to see what might be going on with our chime.

Ideas?  Thanks!

Mark H.

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/  Learn about black dogs in a Vanagon at
http://www.pbase.com/mhersh/image/108220533

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »