the brake lights on most cars, including vanagons, work with the key off ..
and the ecu has nothing to do with the brake lights.

the parking lights will work..
and for headlights and turn signals ....you need the ignition on.  ( key
'on' ).

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Lincoln" <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:56 AM
Subject: THis may be a Silly Question - '85 1.9

> My friend has an '85 GL 1.9 that he needs to tow so that we can do some
> work on it.
>
> Here's the silly question - sorry but I just don't know:  Will the lights
> (specifically brake lights) work if the ECU has been removed?
>
> I assume they will but again I'm just not sure. Thanks ahead of time.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus