NOTE: First of all I'd like to let you know that if you are the type of person that talks better with pictures, you can go here for dash/instrument lights, here for heater panel light, or here for automatic transmission console lighting, to see snaps of the actual location of each of the dash and console light bulbs. It might help you understand the information provided herein.

NOTE 2: Amazingly, VW placed disposable bulb socket combinations in place in the Vanagon in several locations. What I mean is that they soldered the bulb leads to the socket, making it very difficult (at least for me) to replace the bulb. So, if it has not already been done on your Vanagon, in order to change a burnt out bulb in the fog light switch, the vent control panel, or the automatic transmission console, you have to remove the existing fixture, throw it away, and replace it with a socket that will allow you to just plug in a new bulb (no soldering involved). If you ask me, that's shortsighted on the part of VW Engineers.

NOTE 3: If you are anywhere near as cheap as I am, you will likely try to keep using the original socket by using a new bulb and soldering iron to remove the old and solder in the new bulb. I am challenged when it comes to soldering but my Lutheran upbringing (meaning that I try to reuse anything and everything so I don't have to pay for a replacement) forced me to at least try this. After wasting a perfectly good 4 hours I can now say that I firmly believe that the absurd cost of around $4 per socket is worth it instead of resoldering. Spring for the sockets this once and when the bulbs burn out in another fifteen years all you have to do is pop out the old one and slide in the new one. Too easy.

There are two types of light BULBs that illuminate the vanagon console/dash. They are as follows:

1. Bulb/Socket For Instrument Lights
2. Bulb For Dash Vent Control, Automatic Shifter, And Fog Light Switch Illumination

There, now you are smarter in about the time it took you to read that than I was in about four hours of work and a lot of cussing!

Now, here's a tricky part....There are three types of SOCKETS for the lights that illuminate the vanagon console/dash. They are as follows:

1. Socket/Bulb Combination For Instrument Lights
2. Socket for Bulb for Dash Vent Control
3. Socket for Bulb for Automatic Shifter, And Fog Light Switch Illumination

Here are some pictures of these parts to further educate you (click the image to enlarge):