TheSamba.com :: View topic - Vanagon turn signal switch w/cruise control 86-91

Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:04 pm

Hey guys,

My cruise control stopped working. The trusty local mechanic/Vanagon guru has narrowed it down to the turn signal switch being completely bad. It's not distributing power to the cruise control.

I need to find a "Vanagon turn signal switch w/cruise control, years 86-91," only problem is, they stopped making that part several years ago.

Any ideas?

Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:12 pm

I'm in the exact same position as you.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:18 pm

markz2004 wrote: I'm in the exact same position as you.

Ugh. Hopefully someone can shed some light.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:57 pm

NLA, no longer available new.
Good used is your only answer.
I had them but have been cleaned out by those in need.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:27 pm

Sometimes the wires break right where the arm pivots.If that's the problem you could pull the wires from the back side of the arm and splice in some new wires.Also I think some of the same year Jetta or Golf cruise switch would be very similar except for the arm. Get one from a pick and pull and cut off the end of the arm where the switch is,wire it up to the harness plug under the column and attatch the switch to the dash somewhere.Until you can get a correct one of course.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:41 pm

insyncro wrote: NLA, no longer available new.
Good used is your only answer.
I had them but have been cleaned out by those in need.

Any ideas at all where I could find one?

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:46 pm

PacNorthWesty wrote: insyncro wrote: NLA, no longer available new.
Good used is your only answer.
I had them but have been cleaned out by those in need.

Any ideas at all where I could find one?

Off a parts van somewhere????

I have spares but own numerous Vanagons all with stock cruise.
Not looking to sell any as I have not been able to find any in good condition lately.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:47 pm

Check Bus Depot,website shows them.Good price too.But call and check stock.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 4:15 pm

I would suggest building a simple circuit to verify that it is indeed a bad switch. Wire up this and test for the cruise function. If you want the resume function, connect another push button between 4 and 2. If the stick is bad, you can use this until you can find a replacement. Remove the steering column cover to access the small 4-pin connector.

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Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:14 pm

Tristar-connection (Lars Nuefer) had some nos German cruise stalks a while ago. Only difference is they are in german. I got one in mine.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:48 pm

jordauto wrote: Check Bus Depot,website shows them.Good price too.But call and check stock.

Thank you so much for this :) I'll be calling them first thing in the morning to check stock. At least it shows them in stock online. Again, truly, thank you. It's very much appreciated.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:57 pm

The CC stalk has been NLA for some years now and I would be amazed if they actually had any. BD shows many parts that they don't actually have in stock.

Checking your unit for continuity may find a wire problem that can be fixed.

Good luck

Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:40 am

syncrodoka wrote: The CC stalk has been NLA for some years now and I would be amazed if they actually had any. BD shows many parts that they don't actually have in stock.

Checking your unit for continuity may find a wire problem that can be fixed.

Good luck

Gotcha. I was afraid of that to be honest. We'll see. Thanks for the info!

Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:29 am

I have had 3 vanagons and each one had inop cc.All problems fixed by correctly rigging the switches at the brake and clutch pedals. My $0.02.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:12 am

CessnaJon wrote: I have had 3 vanagons and each one had inop cc.All problems fixed by correctly rigging the switches at the brake and clutch pedals. My $0.02.

95% of all cruise control issues I have diagnosed have also had to do with misalignment of the brake and clutch pedal switches.

I have seen a few broken stalks, but none with any wiring issues.

The system is very basic.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:30 am

Less than a year ago, Go Westy had brown ones in stock. A member here had posted it. I bought one then, but don't see them on their website now. Might be worth a call to them. They were brown, which was perfect for me.

I was using a switch from a later VW Jetta, that I purchased from Jason at Greasworks. It was a direct replacement, but the orientation was a little off. You can see it in this image.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:07 am

CessnaJon wrote: I have had 3 vanagons and each one had inop cc.All problems fixed by correctly rigging the switches at the brake and clutch pedals. My $0.02.

This was my experience also, |I had several shops looks at it and they said it was everything from speed sensor to pump, it was finally fixed when we adjusted the actuator under brake that kept slipping

Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:45 am

try john hamil @ 802-722-3181 @johns car corner hes in vermont but something like that could be mailed cheaply

Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:03 am

GBA 88West LA wrote: try john hamil @ 802-722-3181 @johns car corner hes in vermont but something like that could be mailed cheaply

Thank you so very much for his name and number, just called him :)

Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:04 am

syncrodoka wrote: I would be amazed if they actually had any. BD shows many parts that they don't actually have in stock.

How right you were! Out of stock! :evil: