I wanted to thank all who were so kind to offer helpfull advice and
potential solutions regarding my recent problem with intermittent
headlights.     As it turned out it was the ignition switch that was
bad.    My mechanic had to put three of them in before the problem was
totally resolved , however.     The first two had bizarre electrical
malfunctions built right in!    The first switch allowed the heater fans
(front and back) to to remain running even with the ignition off.    It
also would allow intermittent function of the windshield wipers with the
ignition off.    He told me later that the second switch would allow all
functions correctly except that it would not allow the engine to
start.    Interesting quality issues here!      He assured me that the
parts were new and not remanufactured.   They came from a parts
distributer and not the dealer.

Before I found the switch to be the problem I did go under the dash and
clean up the connections on the two star (?) grounds.
As my second windshield had leaked for some time I expected the
worst.    Turns out there was some minimal corrosion on the bottom of
the forward star but none on the rearward one.   I believe some one said
the rear one had the grounds for the headlights.     Just for good
measure,because I was there anyway, I went ahead and pulled all the
grounds off (carefully) and cleaned up all surfaces I could reach with
some mediym grit emery paper.     I may thank myself later!

Merry Christmas to all,
Jaymac,  87 Vanagon GL  195,000 miles  (still --  my speedometer was
broke for a while)