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Newbie here with a "fan switch" question.
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CXMadrid
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:12 pm    Post subject: Newbie here with a "fan switch" question. Reply with quote

I finally got an 83 westy. Need to fix a few minor things on it but other than that it's pretty sweet. I few days after I bought it (as luck would have it) the little knob that controls the fan to blow air inside will not move. It is stuck in the #3 position to blow air, however, no air is coming out of the vents. This is puzzling me. It worked fine in all positions just days before. I just realized that this problem occurred after I replaced a headlight. Is it possible I knocked something loose in front grill area that would affect the switch? Or do these switches just up and quit all of a sudden? Has any one had the same experience or have any advice on what I should do?

Thanks
Christian
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Steelhead
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

checked the fuses?
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levi
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The switch behind the panel is probably melted.
Cheap crap.
Take off the 4 knobs for the left/right vents.
Take off the panel.
Then you have access to that switch. About 10 bucks i think
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:27 pm    Post subject: Another Thought... Reply with quote

Here's another thought...

When I installed Winston's headlight relays and rearranged and cleaned his grounds, I apparently did quite a number on the blower connections and the windshield wiper relays. Blazer said that both components, which I had them replace, along with the front heater core, would have worked if they'd been correctly wired and grounded.

I'm not TOO bothered by the whole thing, because they all would have failed anyway, and I also had the front heater core done at the same time. But you might have knocked a grounding assembly loose, or gotten a wrong wire onto the wrong connector, somewhere. Good luck and...

Best!
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deprivation
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had to clean every freaking connector to every freaking switch on my '86. I have no idea how much condesation could collect all over everything but it did and there was crap and rust on all conductive surfaces! For the time being assume everything needs to be cleaned.

Invest in some fine-grit (#600) sandpaper and a can of contact cleaner.
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levi
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All true......but, he said the switch is stuck in the 3rd position, so it's cooked. Those cheap switches can't handle the amount of juice being sent through them in the 3rd position, and they fry.
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deprivation
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 6:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're right. What I didn't mention was that I had a switch that had gone tits-up because of crapped out contacts inside the switch itself. It would have been nice if I had actually put that in my post.

I'm either getting too much coffee or not enough.
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CXMadrid
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It must be that the switch is fried. It was hot the first couple of days I had the westy and I just left the fan on full blast the entire time I was driving around. Are those switched avaliable at local stores like Kragens, Home depot etc..or is it a Go Westy, Bus-boys item?

Next on the list is me intsalling a new sink pump (found great info on the sight on it) and I need to keeping an eye out on that small coolant leak.

Thanks again fo the quick response.

Cheers
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levi
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't know if it's available at Home Depot.
IF that's what you need, at van-cafe it's part # is 171 959 511
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