Date:         Sat, 1 Feb 2025 18:40:37 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: headlight switch
Comments: To: Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1FCB57EA-C738-4408-A355-894C41B7C053@markmcculley.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 My current frustration:  reinstalling Instrument Cluster.  More specifically:  the Rocker Switches.  About a year has elapsed with all wires dangling via gravity....and with time, the PVC insulation on the harnesses to Rockers seems to have taken "a set", in an uncooperative fashion.  I, for various reasons, have twice removed my Dashboard and everything else.  So I a going to do a BIG JOB:  lengthen those Rocker Switch Harnesses.  Like 6-8".  Already got some nice Silicone Insulated wire, with multi stranded tinned wiring.  It will take me a few hours to cut harnesses, strip, cut additional lengths, solder, heatshrink....but then I never have to struggle again.  I've also added many accessories like Garmin GPS, AudioVox Cruise Control, hidden switch to Fuel Pump Relay, Wiring to BBQ probe in back for my Hot Water Shower system so I can determine water temperature as I drive, and also a Motorized Valve to Open and Close valve to coolant pipes which go to a copper coil heat exchange device.  It sounds like a mess, and it is!  But everything works nicely, it's just a hassle dealing with those harnesses and Rocker Switches.  Yes, all those 40 year old Rocker Switches, especially the Hazard Switch, need regular excercising with a spritz internally of Electrical Contact Cleaner.


    On Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 08:47:31 AM PST, Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com> wrote:  
 
 My headlight switch had become intermittent so I ordered a new one from GW. The new one was Febi brand. The switch itself was very stiff, I could live with that, but I was unable to get it properly seated into the instrument panel. I tried for about 15 minutes but could only get one of the side tabs to click into place. Very frustrating. I cleaned up the switch contacts on the old switch with some Deoxit and reinstalled it, seems to be working fine for now at least. I don't know whether to try to return the new switch to GW or give it another try. Has anyone had a similar problem with new headlight switches?

-Mark