when they say 'short' they just mean something electrical is invested with
gremlins.... ...very non-technical..
but your right ..
either blockage or leakage of electrons. ..i.e.. 'open' as in blocked or
'short circuit to the wrong place.' as in leakage.

most failures are just a 'blockage or leakage of fluids or electrons.'

Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: '85 vanagon fuse #14 - again

> At 03:07 PM 6/23/2010 Wednesday, BenT Syncro wrote:
>>I was trying to answer this question. Your not expecting a load but I
>>say what if something is shorting on the "hidden" switch such as the
>>one in the wiper stalk. I didn't think VW would make a different
>>switch for vans with rear wipers and ones without.
>
> Dear Messrs Excorius & Tan,
>
> When non-electrical people say "short" they usually mean "open."  In
> short, it causes no end of confusion.
>
> Yours servant,
> Mr. Wizard