| Author |
Message |
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:54 pm Post subject: Headlight help! (solved) |
 |
|
Hey all,
I have an 82 that developed a headlight issue
Ive searched the archives to fix the issue (no go)
The problem started a week or so ago
While using the right turning signal the Headlight and Turning signal dash light would flash intermittantly
Didnt really bother me that much
Coming home the other night my headlights went off
Ive had a chance to troubleshoot but the problem remains
Thru my research I have ruled out the X relay as the wipers work at start up
Check the switch on the dash (all good)
Checked the ground on the left side appears to solid
Checked the fuses (all good)
"wiggled" the wires in steering column ig switch (no go)
cleaned the ground behind the glove box
repaired a grnd connector on steering column
Now while putting verything back together i disconnected the R side headlight and the L side H-light came on
so i cleaned the terms on the R side headlights and reinstalled the connector (no go)
finally I installed the R side connector while disconnecting the L side Hd lit connector and the R side came on
I am out of ideas
Is there another grounding post?
If so where? Ive looked an have been unable to find one
TIA
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
Are they the circular things on the sidewall to the left and above the fuse panel?
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
Thank you
Will dig into that tomorrow
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TBay84
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2019
Posts: 16
Location: Ontario
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
Sounds like the same issue I had with my van. The ground wires for the headlights are two brown wires connected to one female terminal spade that go to the ground tree (as long as it was never modified by a previous owner). If your headlight can still come on, you may be able to test that you have the right wires by turning on the headlights and pulling the ground wires to see if the headlight turn off.
You may want to buy a couple female quick connect terminal spades (insulated 0.250” 16-18 awg wire size, if I’m reading the bentley manual right. I do believe it is 16awg though) and cut the ground wires, then crimp a terminal to each wire to ground them separately. There should be a few spare spots to add one more ground wire.
Depending on how comfortable you are with wiring, you may also want to consider adding a headlight relay kit to reduce the load on your electrical system. I got mine from Rocky Mountain Westy, about $50 IIRC. Other than cutting the ground wires to ground them separately (kit also comes with the insulated terminals), everything else was plug and play (GoWesty kit has you cutting the low beam and high beam wires going to the fuse panel). All the wires from the headlight relay kit will make things a bit crowded behind the fuse panel though.
The headlight relay kit will give your stock headlights more power. It will also allow you to install more powerful bulbs too.
Good luck!
_________________
1984 Westfalia (Canada) - 1.9L WBX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8815
Location: Westfalia, Earth
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
I'd add ceramic headlight plugs to the relay kit.
If your plugs look melted, they overheated and that's what the ceramic is designed to not do as easily.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?” |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 9:05 am Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
thanks for the tips all
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thatvwbusguy
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007
Posts: 1712
Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
I sell a relay kit for the 80-85 Vanagon for $36.00 shipped. Plug and play with OEM style terminals and new 1/4" female terminals for the grounds included.
Looks like RMW/Van Cafe still use my photos on their website for the kits I used to make for Van Cafe 
https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrelays/headlight-relays/80to85
_________________
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dgbeatty
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2006
Posts: 702
Location: Sacramento
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
Dear Space, we read that you have "looked at and checked things" but we have not seen any test values. Post your test notes and a correct diagnosis can delivered.
_________________
Schau in das Buch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
Will be in contact
You were a great resource while on the quest
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 829
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: headlight HELP! |
|
|
| dgbeatty wrote: |
| Dear Space, we read that you have "looked at and checked things" but we have not seen any test values. Post your test notes and a correct diagnosis can delivered. |
DG not sure how to answer your question
Ive done simple voltage and continuity testing either the reading was +13 or infinity
I did however find the problem
Apparently corroded ground wires on the tree
Spayed contact cleaner and replaced connectors as needed
problems solved
Thanks again to all
T |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
