[T2] Headlight problems

[Pat Spragge/RFAN]

Bob,

"I had trouble with the turn signals and 4 way flashers when I first got 
the vehicle as they were blowing fuses. I somehow fixed the problem and 
didn't have any other problems until I replaced the headlights."

This statement provides a clue...when you say 'somehow fixed the 
problem...' I take it the lights just started working again without you 
doing much more than wiggling wires? Did you take any corrective action to 
fix the problem? Might be stating the obvious, but sounds like you have a 
short somewhere that reappeared after working on the headlights. These can 
be difficult to trace, since you typically keep blowing fuses every time 
the short is triggered.  There is a short tester that is used in these 
situations to help in tracing the shorting circuit. It temporarily 
replaces the fuse that is blowing. 
You might check with your nearest FLAPS and see if they have one.

SG Tool Aid 25100 Short Tester by Tool Aid  ~$40
http://www.toolaid.com/products/electrical/short-finders

You can search on YouTube to see how it works.


Pat



From:   Bob Pratt <ka1dza at verizon.net>
To:     Kevin Guarnotta <kevin at guarnottadesign.com>
Cc:     type2 at type2.com
Date:   11/04/2015 06:19 AM
Subject:        Re: [T2] Headlight problems
Sent by:        "type2" <type2-bounces at type2.com>



I got the headlights at VinageCarLeds. I was so used to driving at night 
with the brighter type lights on the family car, that when I took the bus 
out at night I couldn't see very well. 

I had trouble with the turn signals and 4 way flashers when I first got 
the vehicle as they were blowing fuses. I somehow fixed the problem and 
didn't have any other problems until I replaced the headlights.

The first thing I did when I discovered the problem was reinstall the old 
headlights. It didn't fix the problem. Which makes me think I blew 
something somewhere.

I'm going to attempt to pull the fuse box down so I can take a look at the 
relays. Jamie wanted to know what the numbers on the relays were. Maybe I 
just need to change the relays to something that can handle the new style 
lights.

I remember 4 or 5 years back when people were changing to halogen lights 
there was a part that need to be changed or a new circuit that needed to 
be installed to handle the new lights, but I can't remember what it was 
and I can't find it in the archives.

Bob Pratt

> On Nov 3, 2015, at 9:02 PM, Kevin Guarnotta <kevin at guarnottadesign.com> 
wrote:
> 
> I think the LED headlights are just bringing to the front an issue that 
was probably there, you just didn't notice it. LED's are typically very 
sensitive to voltage variation, so they can issues that my remain hidden 
with regular lights - become readily apparent with LED's. 
> 
> I'm not sure about your bus - but I'd check under the dash - there are 
typically a few under there as well - ie if there is a headlight relay, or 
flasher relay - they need to be well grounded to the chassis. Also the 
ground on your battery. Sometimes it is the simple things. (I had issues 
with my truck for a while, intermittent starting etc, turned out the 
ground strap was a little loose on the battery. 
> 
> Then again - where did you find LED headlights? And why are you going 
with them?
> 
> -Kevin Guarnotta
> Jamaica Plain, MA
> 
> ’78 Westy
> '69 Singlecab
> '65 Ez-camper
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Pratt [mailto:ka1dza at verizon.net] 
> Sent: Monday, November 02, 2015 5:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [T2] Headlight problems
> 
> OK. I've replaced of the ground connectors in the rear with new ones as 
they were loose and or broken. I've replace the ground connectors and 
housings on the front turn signals. I cleaned and reinstalled the ground 
strap from the frame to the transmission.
> 
> I've considered buying a new harness, but they are expensive and they 
only go from the rear to the fuse box.
> 
> What I can't understand is that all these problems started when I 
replaced the headlights with LEDs.
> 
> Bob Pratt
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