87 Vanagon: Silly auto transmissions questions

[mcolby]

Hi all,
As a new 87 Vanagon owner, I have (probably silly) questions as to my automatic transmission in the bus... (I previously owned a couple of old school stick shift buses, a 73, and a 77, but am still getting to know my Vanagon... much to learn.)

1. My Vanagon has a bit of a 'clunk' when I shift into Drive. Not real extreme, but noticeable. (It has about 134k miles, and generally shifts just fine.)

Is this normal for an auto transmission Vanagon?

2. Is the shift position indicator on the auto trans normally illuminated? If so, is there a bulb that I can replace somewhat easily?

I don't know what it is, but on manual transmission cars (my normal), I don't need such things, but would find it useful on my V... (maybe I'm just too stuck in the modern world these days <smile>)

Many thanks to any and all for your inputs.

martin

Albuquerque, NM

[Eric_Taylor]

I suppose it depends on what you mean by a clunk. Mine makes some noise, but it's not super abrupt. A fluid service of the auto and the differential would be my first thought.

Yes the indicator should have a light. If you look in the Bentley, it shows the location under the plastic counsel. If I were replacing one, this is what I would do:

https://www.gowesty.com/product/-/23493/led-bulb-kit-for-automatic-shifter-?v=

[jlrftype7]

Drive on mine is fairly quiet, but Reverse is my ‘clunker’..
There are two bulbs down in the shifter assembly.
On my ‘84, they require different bulb holders than what I was used to seeing since the bulbs were soldered or permanently attached to the sockets.
Not a remove and plug in a new bulb situation.
New bulb sockets are available.
Once your Vanagon is running, the lights will be on, they are not, to my knowledge , tied to the lights or Dimmer circuit at all.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[mcolby]

Thanks, Eric and jlrftype 7 for your replies...

Got a couple of lamps today ($2), put them in and they work just fine.

When looking for info with Goog, I found the following link (on Samba) for further information on the lamps...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4119060

(including it in case other folks need further info)

Replacing them was a breeze: just twist bulb holders to unlock, slide lamps out, and replace. (Getting to the screws to remove was more work, but not bad.)

Also, found this video on the process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES05IPKo53o

Hope this helps other folks 'down the road'...

martin