You could have a bad switch. On the 84 there are two switches, one for each
circuit. If There are two contacts on each. If one switches without the
other you should get the warning light. You may also have a ground or other
problem with the brake lights. Get the schematic or current flow diagram and
a meter and wring it out.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steve Williams
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 8:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Brake Warning Light Behavior

New behavior recently in my '84 Wolfsburg Westy.

The brake warning light comes on bright when the hand brake is set.

When I release the hand brake, the warning light goes dark.

While driving, the brake warning light comes on, not as bright as usual.
  At that point, if I set the hand brake, the light goes bright, then back
to not as bright when I release the hand brake.

When I step on the brake pedal, the warning light goes dark.  The brake
pedal feels normal, so I don't think one of the hydraulic circuits is out.
When I release the brake pedal, the warning light goes back to not as
bright.

If I read the Owner's Manual correctly, the warning light is supposed to
come on when I PRESS the brake pedal and one of the hydraulic circuits is
out.  It's not supposed to be on when the brake pedal is NOT engaged, even
if one hydraulic circuit is out.  Is that right?

So is this just an electrical short?

In some cars, the brake warning light comes on when a brake light bulb is
out.  I don't see any mention of that in the Owner's Manual.