Club 80-90 Forums

I'm in the process of trying to locate fault with instrument lights not coming on.

I have removed the binnacle and have discovered a blanking panel where I think the brake light warning lamp should be.
My van is a A plate 1983-4 LHD

Did only certain models have this?

My other question is, Where is the buzzer of doom/warning light. Be good to know if I have got one and where to look.

Not having much luck with haynes manual & the booklet I have for the van is from a model from 1989

Oh and someone in the past has messed about with the clocks/odometer.. all the corners have been busted off

Hope someone could shed some light for me.

badgerfax wrote:I have removed the binnacle and have discovered a blanking panel where I think the brake light warning lamp should be.
My van is a A plate 1983-4 LHD

Did only certain models have this?

My other question is, Where is the buzzer of doom/warning light. Be good to know if I have got one and where to look.

All the vans I've seen have a handbrake on lamp - I think it also serves as a low brake fluid warning lamp but I'm not 100% on that. Picture of warning lamp below, just above the headlight switch. Not sure what the blank immediately above it might be for.



The buzzer of doom is inside the dash binnacle. I don't know where exactly but I do know it makes a right racket and the oil warning light is next to the oil can symbol below the headlight full beam lamp.

The only other warning lamp is the coolant one which is in the centre of the coolant temperature gauge and it should flash several times as soon as the ignition is switched on and then go out.

Thanks 1664, Don't know where my ones gone then Odd thing is I don't see any wires that look is if they should go to it.

Judging by the state of the binnacle someone in has been messing around with it in the past

some early and lots of later LHD vans did not have a fluid waring lamp which also acts as a hand brake 'on ' lamp

the upper part is only used on some high spec vans , not 100% exactly what , but possibly ABS warning lamp

billy739 wrote:some early and lots of later LHD vans did not have a fluid waring lamp which also acts as a hand brake 'on ' lamp

Really? I'd have thought it would be a bog standard item; any vans I've driven or been looking at has had them - one of my checks when looking to buy. They tended to be later petrol vans and all RHD.

when looking for a brake light switch on VW heratige there is a three pin switch option if you have a brake warning light fitted and a two pin switch if you don't.

so maybe have a look at the switches

Not sure if it's the same light as the handbrake.

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Bra ... tartRow=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Buzzer of doom is the the oil low light, you can trigger it easy enough by removing the wire to the sensor and revving the engine over 2000RPM

Given the age of your van - I would think that you might not have the buzzer at all.

Really? I'd have thought it would be a bog standard item; any vans I've driven or been looking at has had them - one of my checks when looking to buy. They tended to be later petrol vans and all RHD.

yes really

early vans didnt have the switch in the resivoir cap , just a simple black cap / lid!

billy739 wrote:

Really? I'd have thought it would be a bog standard item; any vans I've driven or been looking at has had them - one of my checks when looking to buy. They tended to be later petrol vans and all RHD.

yes really

early vans didnt have the switch in the resivoir cap , just a simple black cap / lid!

Actually I was more referring to the handbrake side of things rather than fluid level

Actually I was more referring to the handbrake side of things rather than fluid level

ok no prob.

early handbrake levers ( very rarely had the switch fitted , think it was an option on early vans ( caravelles were standard , panel vans no)

but never seen a van with later handbrake lever without a switch!

think its round 85 they changed