Gary;
Interesting problem. Do you have OEM lights? Check the ground cluster
near the fuse block first.Next I would clean up the fuses. Then the way
I would proceed is to get out my volt meter and check the voltage drop
across the switch. With the switch closed (on) the voltage should
ideally be zero. What about the bright lights do they act the same way?
If not I would suspect dirty contacts in the dimmer switch. 
Ken "everything is dis-assembleable" Lewis
kdlewis@juno.com
86crewcab
85GL
60 356
PS are all 82s & 83s diesels?

On Thu, 31 Oct 1996 03:16:56 -0600 meek@oanet.com (Gary Meek) writes:
>        Since the cold weather started, (-11 C) when I push the
>head lamp switch on, it takes up to several minutes for the switch
>contacts to close and give me light.  After the van is warmed up, 
>and the switch is warm, it will turn on the headlights instantly.
>
>        Is the headlamp switch dis-assembleable? Any ideas?
>
>
> gary meek
> sherwood park, alberta, canada
>
> 82 Vanagon GL  1.6 litre turbo-diesel
> 83 Quantum SW 1.6 litre turbo-diesel
> 83 Audi  4000S  1.6 litre turbo-diesel
>
>