Correct, Jeff.  And other accessories work, so more likely light switch
than ignition switch.  Just haven't gotten into it yet.

On Wed, Aug 26, 2020 at 9:37 PM Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
wrote:

> Just to confirm - McNeely this is for you :)  - the problem is NOT the
> ground, right?  Am I reading that correctly?  You pulled the lever, lamps
> lit up, so not a ground problem, right?
>
> Thanks again
> Jeff
>
> > On Aug 23, 2020, at 11:13 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
> >
> > If the lamps lighted with the high beam lever pulled than the ground has
> not failed. The high beam lever direct connects from the battery feed to
> the high beam circuit doing a bypass past the X contact on the ignition
> switch and the headlight switch. Depending on how things were wired this
> could also bypass the headlight relays, and the problem is there. A ground
> problem here may also be a reason that changing the bulbs made them work.
> > Need a schematic!
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> > From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2020 12:07 PM
> > To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> > Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: headlamps
> >
> > Dennis and others who replied to my original inquiry,  Thanks a great
> deal!  The test that Dennis suggested, flipping the bright light switch
> while the headlamp switch is on revealed that the fault is evidently a
> ground as Dennis suggested. All four lamps lit when the bright switch was
> pulled.  I'll try to fix that myself later today.
> >
> > Thanks again, mcneely
> >
> > On Sun, Aug 23, 2020 at 8:50 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com
> <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
> > Of the upgrades that give me pause headlight relays, high power bulbs
> and starter assist relays are amongst them. In general they add failure
> points and hide other issues.
> >
> > With your headlight outage the proper approach at time of failure would
> have been to get a meter or at least a test light and do some diagnostics.
> Did you loose power or the ground? Changing the bulbs you moved things and
> maybe the bad connection is now made, only to fail again.
> >
> > As for headlight relays yes depending on how they are wired take to load
> off the X contact on the ignition switch and take the load off the
> headlight switch but that is all. Especially with the 4 headlight systems
> the wiring to the headlights is not addressed and this especially includes
> the Ground. The headlights for both sides go back to a single quick slide
> connector to one of the start grounds above the fuse box. If you are trying
> light 4-100watt bulbs you are looking at a 40 amp load on a connector that
> had all it can do to handle the original 20 amp load. Keep in mind that
> with lamps when the voltage can’t be maintained under load the current draw
> will go up due to the filament not maintain temperature.
> >
> > Not only do relays not correct the ground or the wiring and connectors
> to the lamps they also do not address the complete current path from the
> alternator to the battery and then the battery to the vehicle loads.
> >
> > As for the high wattage bulbs, consider that for 4 lamp system you can
> be using 400 watts just for headlights, 1/2 your alternator theoretical
> capacity. If your radiator fan needs to run at the highest speed you need
> 540 watts for that. If the AC or heater fans are also on the alternator is
> now overloaded.
> >
> > Getting back to the possible headlight ground failure, this needs to
> inspected and corrected. Tings are crowded there and I have seen this
> failure cause an under dash fire. Also inspect the ground for the radiator
> fan. Move them to new ground points near the lamps or fan use something
> more substantial then a sheet metal screw and for the wire connectors use
> something that will also seal the wire strands from the elements.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com<mailto:
> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> On Behalf Of Jeff Palmer
> > Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2020 6:30 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Subject: Re: headlamps
> >
> > Yes, the Bus Depot setup. I am happy with it.
> > Jeff
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Aug 22, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net
> <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Jeff,
> >>
> >> Is this the set up from Bus Depot?
> >>
> >> I’m currently using that as well with the stronger bulbs.
> >>
> >> I’ll need to find my spares to keep in the bus once it is home.  I was
> carrying both spare high wattage and low and after your experience that
> seems like a good idea.
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Aug 22, 2020, at 1:13 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM
> <mailto:w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Strangely enough both my headlights failed on the same trip. High and
> low beams. They were the high power bulbs that I use with the relay. I put
> in the old low power bulbs and they worked. Odd.
> >>>
> >>> Jeff
> >>> 85 Westfalia
> >>>
> >>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>
> >>>>> On Aug 22, 2020, at 12:25 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com
> <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Try lifting lever for high beams. If still no go the ground probably
> failed. All 4 lights use a common quick slide connector on one of the star
> wheels above the fuse box. Easy fix is to just connect the grounds at the
> lights using a ring terminal under one of the screws holding the light
> bracket to the body.
> >>>>
> >>>> Dennis
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com<mailto:
> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> On Behalf Of David McNeely
> >>>> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2020 12:58 AM
> >>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >>>> Subject: headlamps
> >>>>
> >>>> What is the most likely reason for the headlamps on my 1991
> Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile to be kaput?  All other lamps work,
> headlights do not.  Just started this.
> >>>>
> >>>> Not a fuse, unless 4 bad at once, not likely.  Switch?  Is there a
> relay that can go bad?
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks in advance, mcneely
> >>
>