With all of the helpful responses to the latest head light/ electrical
problems, I have decided to enter mine.  I think it is unrelated to the
previous versions of electrical mishaps.

While driving the low beam lights have never had any problems, although
once I hit the lever for the brights, ALL OF THE LIGHTS GO OUT!!  AND STAY
OUT!!

This can be pretty scary hauling down the highway, or in the last case
when trying to pull off and let others pass in the Sierra's.

After which I dismantled and through gods graces was able to re-build the
turn signal/ Bright lever. TO no avail.  No blown fuses. No overheated
headlight switch. Nada.

Thankfully the lights usually reactivate themselves after a week or so,
and then it is like it never happened, at least until I try and use the
brights again.

Now a days I have trained my hand to not reach for the Brights under any
condition, while training my mind that this is just another little
something special about my Vanagon.

Any thoughts?

And BARS leak is definetly a BAD IDEA.  I ended up buying my new radiator
in Souix Falls, at a dealer. End of story.