shooftie

Just wanted to say a big ‘Thank You” for your article on VanagonWiki for the lights left on buzzer, it was simple and worked perfect. I have been searching for a simple solution since I bought my 1984 Westy 2 years ago and got stranded when I left the lights on down a forestry road while camping. The only mod I found on GoWesty did not work for my light switch. You site is simple, clear and tons of great mods.thanks!

Alistair,

I just stumbled across your blog and I have to say your skills, craftsmanship, innovation is incredible! Have a few questions for ya and would really appreciate your time!

Cheers,
Garret

I came across your page when searching for Vanagon pop-top parts. I’m in the process of building a camping trailer and have been searching for a place to purchase the hings, manual lifting mechanism, and canvas for a VW pop-top which I plan on using for the trailer pop-top. I’ve found plenty of places that carry the canvas replacement, but I am coming up dry when it comes to finding the hinges and lifting mechanism. I was wondering if you could tell me where you got the bits and bobs you used in your Synchro modification?

Thanks Alistair, I will let you know how the two part works out. Nearly finished, I should get it this week. I am using a new Isuzu double cab/pickup as the center carrier bearing as easy to find another one should this ever fail.

The friends Syncro from whom I copied this one, and had worked perfectly (he says), and had the same 2.6 5 cylinder VW (Audi) motor in, now seems to drone at high speed when we put it back in. I made the mistake of re balancing it when it was out and replacing a UJ which was completely shot! When I drove it before removing it I couldn’t find fault with it either, take it off and find a UJ had about 2mm play in it! Solve that as a service and thank you to him and now that its back in it drones!!!!!

Things we go through for the love of these vans!

Hello Alistair, I’ve for several years not very much enjoyed reading your posts. I don’t know how you do it all but very impressive! I have a question and mystery that concerns an originally Canadian Vanagon Multivan (think Day Running lights). A while back I was changing the bulb in the map light, above glove box. It shorted on the damm opening. I then note my interior lights are not working, simple change fuse.. . at least that is what I thought. No fuse blown. But I checked them any way. I dropped the fuse holder and noted that my DRL wires had shorted and melted (yellow, red stripe). I disconnected them and started up the van. Side lights and tail lights work, no DRL. The head light switch activates the lights as designed. All seems well. But, then I notice the voltage on the battery (using cigaret lighter meter) is showing 12.5 volts when running and drops when a headlight or fan is turned on. With multimeter i checked the Alternator, 14.3 volts. I measured at the Starter, also about 14 volts. I measure at the starter battery, 12.5 or less it loaded. New battery, aftermarket nearly new alternator. I also have a gowesty second battery set up, with isolator and “circuit breaker”. I don’t see a reset on the circuit breaker, so not a fix. I have the South african up grade head lights including relays.

Question: Any thoughts on how voltage could not reach starter battery? I thought it is connected from alternator via starter to the battery. The vehicle with start with that connection. but charge is not delivered. Could isolator be switching off the charge ability?

Is there a Canadian relay that prevents disconnection of the DRL that could be suppressing the charge?

Cheers, and thanks for your Canadian perspective. I’m in Portland OR. I could provide pictures.

Joel