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krimpoo
Banned
Joined: December 06, 2008
Posts: 355
Location: gabriola island
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 Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject: 1980 headlights always on |
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The wife phoned last night...late at night...because the headlights won't turn off.
I told her to disconnect the battery and go to sleep...but of course that is a short term solution.
Any ideas? |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9936
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: 1980 headlights always on |
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The headlight switch sometimes get so hot that it melts in the on position. You probably need a new one.
There are relay kits sold various places to deal with this weakness so it won't happen again. It probably won't happen again unless you put brighter bulbs in and overload the switch like many people do. Maybe a previous owner did that, who knows.
Mark
| krimpoo wrote: |
The wife phoned last night...late at night...because the headlights won't turn off.
I told her to disconnect the battery and go to sleep...but of course that is a short term solution.
Any ideas? |
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krimpoo
Banned
Joined: December 06, 2008
Posts: 355
Location: gabriola island
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm...well,we have had the van for quite awhile and made some long trips in it. 8-16 hour days driving so i dont think the po put in some weird after market lights.
Fused switch sounds weird though..i'll check it out when she gets the van back here on monday. Until then i have lots of time to wonder wtf?
Thanks for the response...its a head turner. |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9936
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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I have driven my Vanagons over a half million miles. I have had the melted stuck on headlight switch happen to me twice. Always with stock headlights. I have added relays in my traveling vans now.
Mark
| krimpoo wrote: |
Hmm...well,we have had the van for quite awhile and made some long trips in it. 8-16 hour days driving so i dont think the po put in some weird after market lights.
Fused switch sounds weird though..i'll check it out when she gets the van back here on monday. Until then i have lots of time to wonder wtf?
Thanks for the response...its a head turner. |
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krimpoo
Banned
Joined: December 06, 2008
Posts: 355
Location: gabriola island
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: |
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OK..had no idea it was such an issue. this will be a good excuse to make a sweet mounted switchboard and put all kindsa' doo dads and thingamabobs on it. Hook up a new light switch to it and save the other bobs for stuff i may need in the future.
I'll post pics when i get too it. |
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