This just happened to me also - same symptoms. I tried a new ignition switch
and when that didn't change anything I installed a new headlight switch
which turned out to be the culprit. Apparently the headlight switch is
common point of failure.

Greg S
87 Wolfsburg hardtop
Ottawa Ontario

On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 5:15 PM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:

>  New experience. Got in the van last night, turned on the headlights.
> Nothing! Dash lights OK, driving lights OK, brake lights OK. No head
> lights. No high beams, no low beams. BUT - if I hold the
> turn-signal/bright/dimm stalk in the 'back" position - i.e - towards the
> driver. ALL the headlights come on, but immediately go off when released.
>
> This is a new event to me. I checked the big connector at the right of
> the instrument cluster and it seems tight. Any one experienced this
> before? Have any ideas where to start looking for the trouble?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>