[T2] Headlight problems

[Bob Pratt]

I dropped the fuse box down to look at the numbers n the relays for Jamie. I have that meter that is suppose to find shorts in the wiring. It points to the driver's front signal/marker. 

According to the schematic, the gray wire goes from connection #58 on both front markers to the first fuse in the fuse box. There is no number on the light housing. How do I figure out where that connection is?

Bob Pratt

> On Nov 4, 2015, at 12:46 PM, Pat Spragge/RFAN <Pat.Spragge at rfan.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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