Heater blower cuts out while idling?

Scary Mc

My '86 Syncro's heater blower cuts out every time the van idles for more that a few minutes. If I turn the van off and restart the engine the blower kicks back on.
Any ideas?

Thanks- Gary Mc

Dogpilot · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:18 am Post subject:

The dumb question is; what else cuts out? A common drop off is caused when the load reduction relay kicks in and shuts off a whole host of stuff, headlights, blowers and such. It does this during the start cycle to give all the power to the starter. Its wonkey behavior is usually caused by a bad ignition switch. So check and see if your headlights go off as well. I would start by wiggling your ignition harness on the back of the switch. Do so by removing the steering column cover. If your blower kicks back in when wiggling, or you hear the relay clicking (its on the A pillar just under the dash, above the ground cluster).

So get the ignition switch, its under $10 and replace it. Several threads on how to get the switch out, search.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_428_145/ignition_switch___electrical_portion.html
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

7thing3 · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:25 pm Post subject:

Can the load reduction relays themselves go bad? When I jumper it I get back my wipers and fans. I tried a new ignition switch but that didn't solve the problem. I only get 12v power on the one terminal.
_________________
'73 Thing--Ted
'77 Super Beetle Convertible
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro
'84 Mercedes 280 CE

Dogpilot · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

Yes, anything is possible on a Vanagon. I would also look to the ground clusters at the A pillar near the bottom of the dash, underside above the fuse block. The relay is normally there as well.
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject:

Of course they can and do go bad. It is just a ~$5 relay. What year? For a 1987 use VW# 191937503 (type-18) 40A with .375" power terminals and .250" control terminals. The relay is in the main fuse/relay panel slot 8.

Mark

7thing3 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:15 am Post subject:

Is it supposed to be normally open or normally closed?
_________________
'73 Thing--Ted
'77 Super Beetle Convertible
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro
'84 Mercedes 280 CE

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:23 am Post subject:

The relay closes whenever the key is in the run position.

Key off = relay open
Key start = relay open
key run = relay closed

Mark

7thing3 · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:20 pm Post subject:

Got my $5 relay today (+$10 shipping) and it cured what ailed me.
_________________
'73 Thing--Ted
'77 Super Beetle Convertible
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro
'84 Mercedes 280 CE

SteveVanB · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:59 am Post subject:

Does this apply to an '84? The relay that is? My blower only seems to work when it wants to. More times than not it won't work. I checked the fan speed switch and the gound for the fan, all seems to be in order, still no fan.
_________________
91 CARAT


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