You just saved me alot of time, i have a golf mk2 whhich had the same problem and have been troubleshooint for so long. turns out one of the wires at the ignition switch was burned, didnt consider checking it due to everything being fine while starting the engine and so on, but just now when i checked the yellow wire was burnt.
That is awesome, and I guess VW has not changed much in the way of wiring. So glad you were able to figure it out. Electrical problems are sometimes the worst.
Some "if" statements for diagnosis...: If it is the ground tree, when you try to turn on the lights, the high beam light (blue light on the dash) will stay on. If it is the ignition switch, you will (often) be able to get some headlights when you pull the high beams on. If it is the headlight switch, you won't get any light at all AND the high beam light won't come on. How do I know this? I've had all three happen! Not at once, thankfully, but all in the last two years. Replaced the ignition switch, then the headlight switch, then (most recently) had to fix the ground.
Good info, on mine, when I pulled the turn signal stalk I could get the high beams to come on, but they would not stay on. (It was the ignition switch) You are bang on with your info!!!! Thanks for commenting!!!!
GarageKing yeah, that symptom points to the ignition switch. I have to give credit to David Beirl from the FB vanagon group for the ground diagnosis. His explanation was that when the ground goes bad the lights are trying to find a ground somewhere and go the the high beam circuit to the little light in the instrument cluster. Doesn't work, but lights up that light. Quite clever, when you think of it, that the three points of failure all have unique symptoms (if you know what they are), allowing for quick field diagnosis.
@@richardksmith Yep I'm part of that group. Some very useful information there for sure. I have read a few post from David Beirl and he is quite knowledgeable. An asset to the group for sure!!!
Yes, the vanagon is very cool vehicle !!! They are actually worth quite a bit now, so kind of a good investment if you keep them running well. Thanks :)
Hey Thanks soo much, I do really appreciate it. Very hard to grow a small channel. I post a wide variety of automotive content, but have a section on Vanagon stuff as I love my Vanagon!!!!!
Checked out your channel, you have some good content!!! Keep going, this channel is a brand account so I threw a sub your way with my personal account!!! Keep going buddy!!!
@@GarageKing Ya totally, I just started my new channel less than a month ago. Currently it is going to be Vanagon fixes and trip vlogs. Video is hard but fun.
Hey there, the fuse box varies a bit between vehicles depending on what was installed from the factory. I can help you out if you are looking for something in particular.
What if it's not the ignition switch or the lamp switch? I get high beams but not low beams. I've grounded the lamps directly to a chassis ground up front... no luck, only running lights and turn signals :/ all fuses are good Jake from Toronto
Usually it's the light switch or the ignition switch as that is the way the power is routed. You should remove your light switch (easy) and measure the resistance (open and closed) to ensure the contacts are good (they build up carbon as they arc) You should also measure the continuity in the ignition switch. It's a good idea to put a relay kit in for your headlights as it reduces the amount of current that runs through the ignition switch. I don't have the diagram with me now, but I thought there was a possibility of it being the turn signal switch but rare (I could be wrong, just thinking out loud) If you go to my about tab and contact me via email I can try to help you further.
@@oakvr6 Try jumping the middle pink wire to the black and yellow. Without looking at the wiring diagram I have right now, I'm not sure if the red is HOT all the time. The other thing you can do is run a fused jumper line right off the batter + terminal to the black and yellow. If you still have nothing, then you know your power is good (as you ran a fused live line to the black and yellow) and you know that you have an open black and yellow line. So then you have to trace that line to see where it is open, but before you do that, I would check the ground tree by the drivers door right near the fuse panel. If it's corroded it could be the problem as that would be your open.
Oh boy !!! Normally the power for the headlights and the running lights come from the large red wire shown in the video, and they have to go through the ignition switch, and then though the headlight switch to activate the lights. If your headlight and ignition switch are removed and the light is on, then somehow its getting through sooner. You could check the ground tree by the drivers kick panel to make sure everything is good. You may have a bad ground somewhere in the system. After that I would start pulling fuses one at a time, and when the lights go out you know the problem is on that circuit and then it will be easier to trace. Lots of fun for the weekend :) Cheers
I can see that you're really an expert at this field. Keep sharing your God given talent
Thank you soo much my friend :)
You just saved me alot of time, i have a golf mk2 whhich had the same problem and have been troubleshooint for so long. turns out one of the wires at the ignition switch was burned, didnt consider checking it due to everything being fine while starting the engine and so on, but just now when i checked the yellow wire was burnt.
That is awesome, and I guess VW has not changed much in the way of wiring. So glad you were able to figure it out. Electrical problems are sometimes the worst.
Some "if" statements for diagnosis...: If it is the ground tree, when you try to turn on the lights, the high beam light (blue light on the dash) will stay on. If it is the ignition switch, you will (often) be able to get some headlights when you pull the high beams on. If it is the headlight switch, you won't get any light at all AND the high beam light won't come on. How do I know this? I've had all three happen! Not at once, thankfully, but all in the last two years. Replaced the ignition switch, then the headlight switch, then (most recently) had to fix the ground.
Good info, on mine, when I pulled the turn signal stalk I could get the high beams to come on, but they would not stay on. (It was the ignition switch) You are bang on with your info!!!! Thanks for commenting!!!!
GarageKing yeah, that symptom points to the ignition switch. I have to give credit to David Beirl from the FB vanagon group for the ground diagnosis. His explanation was that when the ground goes bad the lights are trying to find a ground somewhere and go the the high beam circuit to the little light in the instrument cluster. Doesn't work, but lights up that light. Quite clever, when you think of it, that the three points of failure all have unique symptoms (if you know what they are), allowing for quick field diagnosis.
@@richardksmith Yep I'm part of that group. Some very useful information there for sure. I have read a few post from David Beirl and he is quite knowledgeable. An asset to the group for sure!!!
Thanks Richard.
GarageKing how do I get the extension for the Maxitester you’re using to test the ignition?
Gracias por este video, me ayudó mucho con mi Vanagon.
Eres muy bienvenido y me alegro de haber podido ayudar!
U doing great job keep it up thanks for sharing new Friend here
Thanks very much, appreciated :)
thank you for the sharing of your vedeo big help to me, keep safe my friends
Thank you my friend :) I do appreciate it
Thank you! This really helped me out!!!
Thank you for the great comment :) We have to keep our VW’s on the road !!! Hope you enjoyed you weekend :)
18 Like use to have a VW wagon camper many years back in the early 1980 love should have keep it nice video 👍👍🌹🌹
Yes, the vanagon is very cool vehicle !!! They are actually worth quite a bit now, so kind of a good investment if you keep them running well. Thanks :)
Thats a solid trouble shooting trick :) Thanks for sharing. (saw your post on VOG and give you a sub)
Hey Thanks soo much, I do really appreciate it. Very hard to grow a small channel. I post a wide variety of automotive content, but have a section on Vanagon stuff as I love my Vanagon!!!!!
Checked out your channel, you have some good content!!! Keep going, this channel is a brand account so I threw a sub your way with my personal account!!! Keep going buddy!!!
@@GarageKing Ya totally, I just started my new channel less than a month ago. Currently it is going to be Vanagon fixes and trip vlogs. Video is hard but fun.
Could you do a quick video explaining the fuse box?
Hey there, the fuse box varies a bit between vehicles depending on what was installed from the factory. I can help you out if you are looking for something in particular.
Very helpful thank you for sharing guys
Thank you for watching, I do appreciate it :)
Excellent Video!
Thanks soo much brother !!!
What if it's not the ignition switch or the lamp switch? I get high beams but not low beams. I've grounded the lamps directly to a chassis ground up front... no luck, only running lights and turn signals :/
all fuses are good
Jake from Toronto
Usually it's the light switch or the ignition switch as that is the way the power is routed. You should remove your light switch (easy) and measure the resistance (open and closed) to ensure the contacts are good (they build up carbon as they arc) You should also measure the continuity in the ignition switch. It's a good idea to put a relay kit in for your headlights as it reduces the amount of current that runs through the ignition switch. I don't have the diagram with me now, but I thought there was a possibility of it being the turn signal switch but rare (I could be wrong, just thinking out loud) If you go to my about tab and contact me via email I can try to help you further.
Did you fix it @Jacob A I have sidelights but hightbeams only come on when you pull indicator stalk
@@oakvr6 Hey Billy, just as an FYI, I had the exact same symptoms as you and it was the ignition switch, mine did the same thing as yours.
@@GarageKing when I jump the red live to the balck and yellow cable I still dont get any lights to work
@@oakvr6 Try jumping the middle pink wire to the black and yellow. Without looking at the wiring diagram I have right now, I'm not sure if the red is HOT all the time. The other thing you can do is run a fused jumper line right off the batter + terminal to the black and yellow. If you still have nothing, then you know your power is good (as you ran a fused live line to the black and yellow) and you know that you have an open black and yellow line. So then you have to trace that line to see where it is open, but before you do that, I would check the ground tree by the drivers door right near the fuse panel. If it's corroded it could be the problem as that would be your open.
My running lights are staying on with both headlight switch and ignition switch removed ? Any ideas ? ( 86 Vanagon )
Oh boy !!! Normally the power for the headlights and the running lights come from the large red wire shown in the video, and they have to go through the ignition switch, and then though the headlight switch to activate the lights. If your headlight and ignition switch are removed and the light is on, then somehow its getting through sooner. You could check the ground tree by the drivers kick panel to make sure everything is good. You may have a bad ground somewhere in the system. After that I would start pulling fuses one at a time, and when the lights go out you know the problem is on that circuit and then it will be easier to trace. Lots of fun for the weekend :) Cheers