That's a good suggestion.

My headlights got noticeably brighter when I grounded them to the chassis
close to the lamps, especially the passenger side which has a longer path to
travel back to the silly grounding point.

On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 9:17 PM, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:

> Since way back I have found that when a VW electrical part stops
> working, my first step is to add another ground (after I check the
> fuse <g>). I'd splice into the ground wires on both headlights (just
> behind the light connectors) and add another ground right at the body
> next to each of the lights.
> THEN I'd deal with pulling the fuse box and cleaning all the grounds
> at the star connectors that are back up there in the dark recesses of
> VW ground connections.
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
>
>
> At  11/14/2010 07:39 PM, Zolly wrote:
>
>> Thanks to all of you who helped with advice.
>> First I changed the switch and it did not help.
>> Second I took off the grill, then the driver side headlights, then cut a
>> short piece off the side of the brown wire and using a bailing wire I
>> connected it to the bumper.  Voila.  There was light.
>> So, it is bad ground.  Now I'm looking in behind the fuse box on those
>> crowns and they look quite nice but there is a very little corrosion.
>> Sprayed Deoxit on them and hope it will help.  Doubt it though.  I still
>> have to find which one is the headlight ground, using continuity.
>> Fun stuff.
>> Thanks again.  I don't know what I would do without you guys.
>> Zoltan
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 6:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: Hmm. Headlights don't ...
>>
>>
>>  usually when the ignition switch is why the head lights don't work,
>>> high beam flashing still works.
>>> That function also is not working on the poster's van, and that function
>>> is
>>> independent of the ignition switch I believe.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Tom Hargrave" <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 6:06 PM
>>> Subject: Re: Hmm. Headlights don't ...
>>>
>>>
>>>  If it's like the old air cooled it does. I'd try moving the switch a
>>>> little
>>>> back towards off. You might be surprised - if the contacts are worn and
>>>> the
>>>> switch is like the air cooled models often the headlights will come on.
>>>> It'll buy you a little time while you chase down another switch.
>>>>
>>>> Tom
>>>> www.towercooler.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
>>>> Of
>>>> Jerry Baker (Guido)
>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 7:32 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Re: Hmm. Headlights don't ...
>>>>
>>>> Probably the ignition switch.
>>>>
>>>> If I remember correctly, power for that circuit
>>>> comes from the ignition switch.
>>>>
>>>> JB
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 11/14/10 5:50 PM, "Zolly" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Hi to all,
>>>>>
>>>>> The headlights, both sides, don't work.  The flash lights don't either.
>>>>>
>>>> High
>>>>
>>>>> or low beam.  It's an '85 camper.
>>>>> I checked;
>>>>> fuses all good,
>>>>> changed the switch with an other one and they are still not working.
>>>>> the side markers work,
>>>>>
>>>>> Checked the Bentley, but I could not find anything to go on there.  I
>>>>>
>>>> don't
>>>>
>>>>> even know what to look at now.  As much as I can understand by looking
>>>>> at
>>>>>
>>>> the
>>>>
>>>>> wiring, could not point to anything that would be at fault.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyone?  Would be much appreciated.
>>>>> Zoltan
>>>>>
>>>>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27