Since you have a problem with both the high beam and turn signal indicators there could be a problem with the ground or other connection on the cluster. Could also just be coincidental. Since you already added relays if you didn’t consider the complete current path upgrading the ground at the lights directly is an improvement anyway. From the factory the grounds from each light travel all the way to a connection point above the fuse box. Both wires are actually on the same crimp. From heat and corrosion this point is a common failure. Particularly with the 4 headlight vans or if you upped the bulb wattage. 

Being an 83 the harness from the alternator is the first thing that needs to be upgraded. 

Dennis

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 7:55 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Riddle me this about Vanagon dash wiring gremlin

So, it's a headlight ground, not a turn signal ground? It makes sense if there is current in the circuit enough the glow the LED then there is probably enough to disrupt the turn signal's need for interruption of current to operate, right?

Would you run a ground to the chassis at the lights? (which are BTW relayed).

Jim

On Thu, Dec 31, 2015 at 3:41 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Bad ground for the lights. Both lights are grounded at a common 
> connector over the fuse box. I would add a new ground at each headlight.
>
>
>
> Sent from my Windows 10 phone,
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
> *Sent: *Thursday, December 31, 2015 3:06 PM
> *To: *vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject: *Riddle me this about Vanagon dash wiring gremlin
>
>
> Diesel Vanagon 1983. When headlights are switched on there is a slight 
> glow from the "brights" LED in the cluster. When switched off or to 
> parking lights, it does not glow. The turn signal work but the 
> indicator light on the dash does not.
>
> Sounds like a ground, but can anyone suggest which one?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim
>