> My '80 Westy has been doing this and similar things since I've owned it.  The best I've been able to do is take the plastic covers off the area under the dash where all the wires are and just wiggle the wires.    Eventually some relay clicks and all is well.  I've never been dedicated or smart enough to track it all down.  I think there might be another issue when it dies but the panel lights stay on.  I suspect it's one of the wires that comes from the switch on the ignition.  I'm going to be paying close attention to what you find out, because I drive around with the feeling like the sword of Damocles hanging over my head.  I've never actually gotten stranded, but the car has died in some rather inconvenient places and it is a real danger.
> John Jensen
> johnjensen@johnjensenartist.com
> http://www.johnjensenartist.com
> bluesbug@verizon.netFrom: Michael Shapiro<seattleshapiro@comcast.net>
> Date: Mon, May 16, 2011 at 12:47 AM
> Subject: 82 vanagon
> To: vanagon@gmail.com
>
>
> hello all  i have a bit of a question
> i was driving  a 82 vanagon  and it shut down....i mean everything..lights
> ..motor  whole thing.  i ccoasted to the side and checked the battery
> connections ..seem fine
>
> where do i go from here?
>
> backround:
> i currently own a 59 split -69-74-78 bay - and now this 82 vanagon that i
> just bought yesterday.   seemed to have no issues  has a new battery
>   alyhough i did put in a new stereo today   could a stereo wire shut down a
> vanagon?  after i installed radio i drove for about 1 hour prior to having
> this problem.
> i also thought it could be a dead battery for whatever reason...so i tried
> jumping it with another car and even when i hooked up cables to battery
> ...nothing.  i am wondering if there is like a main fuse or something.
> mike
> seattleshapiro@comcast.net
>
>