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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:32 pm Post subject: Emergency flasher switch |
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Well, I'm in need of a new emergency flasher switch that goes on the odometer cowling of my 90 vanagon.
I was tidying up my dash work after tracking down the bad ground on my steering wheel, I'd reziptied the leads and put the dash on.. went to pop this sucker into the bezel..
But.. the damned switch came apart in my hands! omg!
Lookin at Busdepot, Vancafe and GW.. I cannot find this damned thing with standard word searches..
Emergency
Hazard
Flasher
switch
button
Looking by category, electrical and or Lighting sections I'd think have it.. since it is electrical (switch) and is by nature apart of the lighting system.. I'd think for sure its in the lighting section.. nooooo logic does not prevail.
uh..
Really.. nothing. Is it called somethinng else?
will have to try to find the part # on it
Last edited by dubbified on Thu Mar 13, 2025 11:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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markswagen
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018
Posts: 1555
Location: san diego
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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part number #175-953-235
no longer available.
there's a bunch in the classifieds.
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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:14 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Thanks Markswagen!
I did search, and no results.
500 mile search, 175-953-235. Vanagon forum..
Hmm... NLA huh.. damn.
Oddly.. I just had connected it confirmed it works just fine.. it is only damaged because I forced it, and the case came apart spilled its guts on the floorboard.
Any confidence if I might be able to pop it together, and plastic weld the case back together.
I just welded a Audi bumper.. and have a plastic welder...
I've done crazier things.. like modding a 1.9 to a 2.0 ALH into my van..
This will not stand in my way.. damnit.. I'm like seconds away from driving a 3 yr project in my driveway.. |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11243
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Are these the correct switches?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1995406
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2025 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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It looks to be!
Thanks! |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8483
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 12:13 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| dubbified wrote: |
But.. the damned switch came apart in my hands! omg! |
And here I am trying to get mine apart to clean the contacts and fix a dim bulb and am having a trying time.
BTW, there's a dirty used switch on eBay for the cheap sum of $3,375... + $12 shipping. No, that's not a typo. 
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4319
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:16 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Usually when you see a price that high, the seller does not have the item or is away and wants to keep their listings "active" for ebay algorithms. At least, that's how I've understood it.
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71633
Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| dubbified wrote: |
Thanks Markswagen!
I did search, and no results.
500 mile search, 175-953-235. Vanagon forum..
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Don't select years or models for parts searches - Those things are primarily for people posting vehicles and almost no one enters that data for parts sales so no ads will be found even if one exists.
I wouldn't enter a zip code or distance either, unless you want to drive to go get it
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3839
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Sometimes switches that fall apart at the seams can be glued together or even zip tied back together. I have zip tied headlamp switches for old bugs when the board was worn away where the metal tabs hold it.
a photo of your damaged switch will be helpful in obtaining repair ideas |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Thanks guys!
@EverettB, Thanks for the guidance! Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose of using those attributes to search "Parts Vanagon"? Odd.
0-50, thanks for the vote of confidence here.. Self repair is the game we're all here for!
I am glad that I learned to repair things at a very very young age.. It makes me a hacker of things.. a modder, but certainly.. not a cheapskate!
| zerotofifty wrote: |
Sometimes switches that fall apart at the seams can be glued together or even zip tied back together. I have zip tied headlamp switches for old bugs when the board was worn away where the metal tabs hold it.
A photo of your damaged switch will be helpful in obtaining repair ideas |
The issue seems to be where the backing plate/casing clicks into the main switch body housing where those little rectangular notches click/lock into the housing, the guts went flying onto the floor.
The casing is not broken, its popped apart. On inspection of the wear points on the backing plate, which has a resistor on it, and the spade terminal connectors.. I've never seen the inside of this switch, but apparently I'm missing a metal piece..
I do have a very nice Plastic welding kit.. so no zipties.. but melting that case plastic together would be a permanent fix!
Its a nice day out, so hopefully I'm back in action, without having to buy anything.
Thanks,
Alex |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
But.. the damned switch came apart in my hands! omg! |
And here I am trying to get mine apart to clean the contacts and fix a dim bulb and am having a trying time.
BTW, there's a dirty used switch on eBay for the cheap sum of $3,375... + $12 shipping. No, that's not a typo. |
I see that light in mine.. went to pull it, and it appears to be a twist/lock..
There are rectangular port holes into the housing/ primary switch casing, (shown in my pic), seem to be where to separate the backing plate.
I'd suggest a very sharp pick, even warming up the plastic. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8483
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| dubbified wrote: |
| I see that light in mine.. went to pull it, and it appears to be a twist/lock. |
Yes, twist-lock; that much I already knew. 
I've given up on opening the thing; don't want to risk destroying it (still works, so...). I've checked the switch connections with my meter and put 12V directly to the bulb. There's 12V at all appropriate connections on the switch and the bulb lights up brightly uninstalled (it now doesn't light at all when installed). I've concluded the bulb holder is possibly where the issue is. New holder, which allows for easy bulb replacement, is on order.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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dabaron
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 2725
Location: Philly, mang
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| I see that light in mine.. went to pull it, and it appears to be a twist/lock. |
Yes, twist-lock; that much I already knew.
I've given up on opening the thing; don't want to risk destroying it (still works, so...). I've checked the switch connections with my meter and put 12V directly to the bulb. There's 12V at all appropriate connections on the switch and the bulb lights up brightly uninstalled (it now doesn't light at all when installed). I've concluded the bulb holder is possibly where the issue is. New holder, which allows for easy bulb replacement, is on order. |
just trade with dubbified 
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crazyvwvanman
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Joined: January 28, 2008
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Location: Orbiting San Diego
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3839
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Add a dab of silicone dielectric grease on the sliding contact when you reassemble. This reduces wear. not sure if a zip tie can be used here seeing as how it needs to be installed. Glue or weld, if you can find the missing part that flew away.
Weld can be done perhaps with a hot solder iron
Good luck, keep us posted |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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thanks guys!
No love on that part.. I dont even know what I'm looking for..
It seems it would have a couple dimples in it like the other.. it looks kinda like a staple, and a spring sits under it..
So they say Patience... and like so many other things.. the second I stop looking.. BAM.
So, moving to the repairing my fiberglass basket, cracked the edge while cleaning.. it fell, cracking this edge.
I grew up making hot tubs.. I manicured the edge, pounded out some 3/4" wide aluminum strap compared to the other uncracked side.. then, fitting it, and really making sure it wont wobble, bam.
and just like cracking a bone.. you gotta set it, and
and let it gel.
The angles of blue tape are to force it down, forward, and into the primary basket fiberglass, restraining it.. gentle force.
Onward.
Presently having a campfire, , and cleaning interior windows.. all points driveable.. the second I fix that flasher, and align the shifter.
Happy weekend ya'all! |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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| dabaron wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| dubbified wrote: |
| I see that light in mine.. went to pull it, and it appears to be a twist/lock. |
Yes, twist-lock; that much I already knew.
I've given up on opening the thing; don't want to risk destroying it (still works, so...). I've checked the switch connections with my meter and put 12V directly to the bulb. There's 12V at all appropriate connections on the switch and the bulb lights up brightly uninstalled (it now doesn't light at all when installed). I've concluded the bulb holder is possibly where the issue is. New holder, which allows for easy bulb replacement, is on order. |
just trade with dubbified |
I HAVE.. seen those bulbs melt, and it likely is a call to replace it, and avoid the (shhhh) fire department thread.. egads.
Amazon does have a push button design that I could go to.. it looks just like the flip switches on a MK2 golf..
And.. it fits into my (about to be) dash mounted 8 gang switch panel.. I replaced one with a momentary for the freight train horn..
The hazard is a nice update in functionality, visibly, they also have a ton of function specific switches which I'm glad to see they released.
Nilight is a good manufacturer.. got 4 of their 6"x 1" floods under the vehicle, a 52 and 22" led bar. zero issues some 8 yrs later. |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1485
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2025 1:38 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Thanks.. cant find the all the guts, seem to be missing a second contactor piece.
It looks like I'm going to be ordering..
I'm cheap. if that switch is like 8$... I'd snap that up if it would fit the 90 guage cluster spot.
mmm, Might you or anyone you know of put that in, and have any feedback?
Atleast my buddy had some time to help me get my 4 speed shifter aligned, so i can finally get into R, 1/2, 3/4... yay.
Almost road worthy. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8483
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2025 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Emergency flasher switch |
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Part number for the early vans: 175-953-235
Part number for the later vans: 171-953-235A
Either will work and both are NLA new. Just bought a used, (alleged) tested and working 175-953-235 on eBay as a backup... just in case.
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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