Rad. fan switch and/or resistor?

[Hybrid VW]

So back in October, my fan wouldn't turn on, so I jumped the plug until I got a new fan switch. When I jumped the plug, it wouldn't work on low speed, only high speed. Installed a new fan switch, and it would only work on high speed.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new resistor, with the understanding that it would fix the low speed issue, but the first time I took the van for a long enough drive to get up to temp, the fan didn't come on at all, and it sprung a leak.

So now the leak is fixed, but the fan doesn't turn on (coolant system is bled). It can be jumped on either low or high speed. So the question is, do I just need a new fan switch again, or is the resistor still suspect? The timing of the failures and lack of functions just seems odd...

[jlrftype7]

In case it matter, what year is your Vanagon[ I'm assuming '86 or later due to actually having an external resistor for the fan vs my older 2 speed model with internal resistor.]
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[MarkWard]

Have you attempted to touch the switch as the engine warms up? The switch needs to get to temp for it to work. The gauge and the switch are completely independent. You could have a circulation problem.

[Hybrid VW]

[jlrftype7]

[MarkWard]

It’s likely not the actual water pump. Short of an infrared temp gun, you can learn a lot with your hand. I can tell you, you won’t be able to hold the rad fan switch if it is getting to its operating temp.

[bobbyblack]

I'd have to agree with all the aboves, but I also have to ask, with all that you were 'up to' on that coolant system work, did you flush the radiator? If so, did you take a look at what came out? And my next thought starts out the same, but ends in; and you didn't replace the radiator?

Well, I have had a radiator waiting for 'that day' for a long time, so I am not disrespecting you here, just asking.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Howesight]

If your Vanagon has (or had) factory air conditioning, or if it is a syncro model, then your Vanagon has the three-speed radiator fan system. This system uses a combination of resistors and relays to allow both the rad temp switch and the AC system to switch on fan speed 1, 2 or 3. The wiring diagram for that can be found in this link:

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/vanagon/87vanagonschmatics/simple87coolingfanwac.gif

If, however, your Vanagon is not a Syncro and never had factory air conditioning, then you have the two-speed fan. This system does not use a separate resistor. The wiring diagram for that system can be found in this link:

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/va...annoac.gif

The difference between the two systems is that in the A/C or Syncro vans, the rad fan is designed and wired to permit three speeds, whereas in the rest, the rad fan only supports tow speeds and neither speed is controlled by or affected by a resistor.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Hybrid VW]

[bobbyblack]

[Hybrid VW]