89 Vanagon GL -- Which headlight switch do I need?

[89Wolfsburg]

My 89's headlight switch burnt up on me the other day on a long highway drive. Accidentally dimmed the dash lights which must have melted something. Parked the van, went to shut off the lights, and the switch was stuck in the 'on' position.

Had to pull the dash cover off and disconnect the switch to get my parking lights to shut off or I would have drained my battery.

I'm going to install the headlight relay to prevent this from happening again, but I'll need a new switch regardless.

Here's a picture of the switch I pulled from the van and one of the connector it plugs in to:

The switch that was in the van was part number 251 941 531B. My vans chassis number is 056XXX.

Now -- all the 'OEM' switches I find online for 89' have two extra contacts that my switch doesn't:

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1989/volkswagen/vanagon/body_electrical/headlight_switch.html

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_457_585/headlight_switch___check_description.html

I've found some switches on the classifieds and eBay that look like mine -- but they're usually advertised for older Vanagons.

Anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks

[Timwhy]

What you are describing is a switch that is backlit, same as yours but the part number ends in M.
It has two extra connectors.
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[89Wolfsburg]

[Timwhy]

Here's the switch.

Did the icon on yours light up when the headlights were turned on?

Here's a nice write up of how to illuminate your headlight.

[syncrodoka]

It sounds like the early "B" light switch was superseded by the "M" switch. If VC says that it works I would tend to believe it(I have one on both of my '86 syncros).
89 1/2 was a transition period for the light switch and they went to the "T" version. The pin positions are different enough that they will not push on.

[89Wolfsburg]

Hey Tim,

My old headlight switch did not light up, and that doesn't really matter to me.

The switch you posted a picture of is the one I'm considering ordering, but I just want to make sure it will fit. Like I said, it has two extra connectors that my switch doesn't, as you can see when you compare it to the picture I posted.

There are 'slots' in the plastic of the receptacle that the switch is plugged in to that the two extra connectors will go into, but there's no metal contacts in those slots.

I'm a little confused.

Just want to get these headlights working again...

Thanks for your help.

[Timwhy]

[syncrodoka]

I fits my cars.
US vanagons headlight switches don't light up unless modded.