Headlights not working, again!

[thomast]

They were working great. Stopped for gas and when I started the motor again, no headlights.

I put in a new switch
Redid the grounds
Checked the fuses
The yellow running light work.
The blue high beam indicator light comes on, but get no lights to come on.

Thoughts on what else I might check?

Thanks!
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window

[crazyvwvanman]

Does the blue indicator consistently turn on/off when the high/low switch is actuated?
Does it then stay on when you release the high/low lever in the high position?

Mark

[thomast]

Yes, blue high beam indicator light stays on like it normally would
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window

[crazyvwvanman]

My question is does the blue indicator stay in both the OFF and the ON modes as it should, when you take your hand away from the lever after selecting each mode?

Mark

[levi]

Connector plug immediately behind the headlights?

A few years ago I was driving at night when one went out.
Noticed a little slack there so some tinfoil got me home.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[tjet]

I ended up re-wiring my headlights because I had a similar issue. I tied off and stowed away the factory h/l harness and installed a good used harness with the addition of relays. I also went to a "key-on" power source. For switches, I installed a pair of high quality toggle switches from a vintage Cessna. I wired it in a way that I can turn on the headlight only and use them as DRL lights.
I still use the factory headlight switch to turn on the parking lights.

[thomast]

Crazyvwvanman, the blue light stays on after I click it. I don’t have to hold it to stay on.
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window

[VicVan]

[thomast]

Bulbs all look good.

Recap:
-Ground is good
-Bulbs are good
-Fuses are good
-Installed new headlight switch
-Blue high beam light will stay on without holding in the lever
-Yellow running lights work.
-Low and High Beams do not work at all

Hitting the road home tomorrow. Would love to figure this out today.

If anyone has any other suggestions on what to look for, I’d appreciate it.
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window

[crazyvwvanman]

That only answers half of my question. The fine details matter for solving problems.

Mark

[SCM]

[crazyvwvanman]

Here is my question again. Read the whole thing, paying attention to the last 4 words.

Mark

[dobryan]

[outcaststudios]

Test the bulbs. ( I see that you did) also be sure to recheck the connectors on the back of the bulb housing, rubber cover etc.
_________________
'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791

[thomast]

The blue hi beam light works as it should. Pull back the lever, it clicks and it’s on. Pull it back again, it clicks and it goes off.

T
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window

[crazyvwvanman]

Assuming the led is switching completely off when you click the lever to that mode, then you likely have more than 1 problem.

Assuming again, this is your 86 with a 22 fuse panel and not some other year?
Also you have a 4 headlight setup?

With the KEY OFF, if someone stands in front and looks closely at the headlights while you pull the hi/lo lever up and hold it, do any bulbs come on at all?
The dash indicator should come on and stay on while you hold the lever up. Does it?

Mark

[thomast]

I replaced the GW high-power headlight relays and the lights are again working.

Thanks everyone for the help!
_________________
1986 Westy Syncro SVX
1970 Bay Window