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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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 Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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Tried bleeding the radiator?
The resistor is still used when it is the A/C running the fan so most suspect would be the rad temp switch. Get the right one, for 1986+ models, Wahler brand, plus a new sealing ring. If you have the right deep socket(s) you can do a fast swap without loosing much coolant.
Mark
| Navy_Flyer wrote: |
Here's the problem I have:
While the vehicle is in motion, engine runs normal temps. At idle, sitting still, temp creeps up until eventually max, red light blinks. I hear no fan.
I pulled the plug off of the fan switch at front of radiator and jumpered the connectors. I get two good combinations that work as described in above posts, so I know fan works - but it is not 'engaging' automatically it seems. When I turn on the A/C, the fan DOES come on. So - is it the resistor behind the headlight, or could it be the fan switch in the radiator? Is there a way to test either of those ? Didn't see ANY mention of how to test in Bently - only that they were there. |
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Navy_Flyer
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Joined: January 08, 2012
Posts: 474
Location: Charlottesville, VA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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This is a new occurance this week, have not done anything to coolant - levels are still good - have not bled but once since acquiring back in January and doing a flush and fill w/bleed. Has been OK, never above the normal spot (needle sits about a half needle high of the light. Outside temps are quite a bit higher than they have been since I got her, maybe I am discovering an old malady.
OK - I have replaced (swapped out) the big green resistor with a spare, changed the relay#5 with a spare, tested the fan by jumpering the contacts at the switch (and it works). No change. No low speed fan kicking on. I did not wait for the red light blinky to see if the high-speed would come on. Only thing I did not change is the fan switch. So - agree with your conclusion it is probably that.
By the 'right switch' do you mean the 87* switch, or the cooler one (77* I think)? An earlier post said something about a NAPA switch being the best - but what that means is ATM part number (Altrom)?... does say 'made in Germany' though when I just looked it up.
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1987 Westfalia, Automatic. EJ25 VANARU Conversion
Last edited by Navy_Flyer on Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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The early 1.9 switch was hotter, 93+ degree for low. Use the stock later cooler switch. The even cooler non-stock one causes trouble if you have A/C.
Mark
| Navy_Flyer wrote: |
........................
By the 'right switch' do you mean the 87* switch, or the cooler one (77* I think)? An earlier post said something about a NAPA switch being the best - but what that means is ATK part number, which is essentially a redistributor of ?... does say 'made in Germany' though when I just looked it up. |
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Tom Powell
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Joined: December 01, 2005
Posts: 4855
Location: Kaneohe
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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| crazyvwvanman wrote: |
The early 1.9 switch was hotter, 93+ degree for low. Use the stock later cooler switch. The even cooler non-stock one causes trouble if you have A/C.
Mark |
I have an '87 with the AC belt removed. At one time I replaced the OG switch with the switch that operates at a lower temperature. Ambient temperature is usually between 70 and 80 and the fan operates in slow traffic or idling around parking lots. I've never heard the high fan kick in. No overheating problems.
For my education, what problems would this switch cause with AC?
Aloha
tp |
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poptop
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2003
Posts: 607
Location: jersey
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| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:04 am Post subject: |
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So my ceramic 3 speed resister looks like a culprit. Anybody know where to get a new one for a good price. Mine is crumbling and needs replacement! Also very corroded wires to it! Could be wires but want to replace resistor anyway!
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So what I drive the short bus! |
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0to60in6min
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Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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NC Dude
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2012
Posts: 127
Location: Cary
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| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:17 am Post subject: |
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| yeah, i can hear it-comes on around 200-202, according to scangauge |
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poptop
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2003
Posts: 607
Location: jersey
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| Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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Looks similar to under dash blower resistor by the picture! But sounds right! Thanks
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So what I drive the short bus! |
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westfalexia
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Joined: July 02, 2015
Posts: 15
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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Could this condition (fan only comes on high) be affected by replacing "temp sensor 2) back at the engine? The fan in my 91 used to operate correctly, but right after the shop replaced temp sensor 2 due to idling problems the low speed stopped working. I was in traffic watching the temp creep up, waiting for the fan to kick on and when it finally did it was really loud - high speed only. I subsequently tested by turning on the (functional) a/c and could not hear low/medium fan at all.
I have read descriptions of the cooling system and cant see that there would be any connection with temp sensor 2 but figured i would ask. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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chrisfreemanca
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2016
Posts: 140
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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Just replaced the radiator fan resistor because the low speed fan wasn't coming on. Tested it originally by jumping the temp switch plug and only had high speed. Got the resistor in this evening but still no low speed when jumping at the plug.
Suggestions on where to look next for the low speed fan functionality?
Thanks in advance,
chris
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87 2wd manual. |
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shagginwagon83
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Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3803
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| chrisfreemanca wrote: |
Just replaced the radiator fan resistor because the low speed fan wasn't coming on. Tested it originally by jumping the temp switch plug and only had high speed. Got the resistor in this evening but still no low speed when jumping at the plug.
Suggestions on where to look next for the low speed fan functionality?
Thanks in advance,
chris |
You may have already read this, but I figure why not make sure
http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=74
I am also currently having issues with my fan. I only have one speed. I pulled #7 fuse and now have zero speeds. I think its a relay - Under dash, to right of speedo on 83-85 model. So i'll look into that more tomorrow.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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That relay is to the LEFT of the speedo, in spite of what GW says. It is not easy to spot in any case so be advised.
Mark |
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chrisfreemanca
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2016
Posts: 140
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| shagginwagon83 wrote: |
| chrisfreemanca wrote: |
Just replaced the radiator fan resistor because the low speed fan wasn't coming on. Tested it originally by jumping the temp switch plug and only had high speed. Got the resistor in this evening but still no low speed when jumping at the plug.
Suggestions on where to look next for the low speed fan functionality?
Thanks in advance,
chris |
You may have already read this, but I figure why not make sure
http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=74
I am also currently having issues with my fan. I only have one speed. I pulled #7 fuse and now have zero speeds. I think its a relay - Under dash, to right of speedo on 83-85 model. So i'll look into that more tomorrow. |
So I had a loose pin after changing out the resistor behind the headlight. I now have 2 speeds if I jump at the switch so that's good. My high temp reading continues though as the low speed is not coming on until well over 3/4 up the needle gauge instead of just past the red light. I let it idle in the driveway for over 20 minutes while I put everything back together and the needle stayed almost at the top with the low fan cycling on/off every few minutes. I'm starting to wonder if the temp sender I replaced last year is simply sending bad values? When I'm running the highway, my gauge runs about halfway between the LED and top of gauge.
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87 2wd manual. |
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chrisfreemanca
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2016
Posts: 140
Location: Alabama
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| chrisfreemanca wrote: |
| shagginwagon83 wrote: |
| chrisfreemanca wrote: |
Just replaced the radiator fan resistor because the low speed fan wasn't coming on. Tested it originally by jumping the temp switch plug and only had high speed. Got the resistor in this evening but still no low speed when jumping at the plug.
Suggestions on where to look next for the low speed fan functionality?
Thanks in advance,
chris |
You may have already read this, but I figure why not make sure
http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=74
I am also currently having issues with my fan. I only have one speed. I pulled #7 fuse and now have zero speeds. I think its a relay - Under dash, to right of speedo on 83-85 model. So i'll look into that more tomorrow. |
So I had a loose pin after changing out the resistor behind the headlight. I now have 2 speeds if I jump at the switch so that's good. My high temp reading continues though as the low speed is not coming on until well over 3/4 up the needle gauge instead of just past the red light. I let it idle in the driveway for over 20 minutes while I put everything back together and the needle stayed almost at the top with the low fan cycling on/off every few minutes. I'm starting to wonder if the temp sender I replaced last year is simply sending bad values? When I'm running the highway, my gauge runs about halfway between the LED and top of gauge. |
Woohoo, success!!! Finally decided to replace the temp sensor for gauge I got form GW last year which I have always suspected was reading high and I'm back in the middle of the temp gauge! Good news is by going through the process I found a leaky water pump, temp 2 sensor in poor shape, bad radiator fan resistor, and put a brand new radiator fan switch. First part I swapped out in this whole chain of events ended up being one of the main culprits. Learned a bunch along the way though!
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87 2wd manual. |
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Zephyr_shreds
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2019
Posts: 185
Location: Bakersfield
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 5:09 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| So the resister is what allows for two fan speeds? My van doesn’t have ac. I let a mechanic do the wiring. And he said I don’t need the resister and he didn’t use it. Now only the low speed fan turns on. He said in the summer I have to put the wire on the hi speed if it over heats. Then only hi speed will come on. Then he charged me 200$. Let me know if I should go egg his shop. Please help |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17155
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 6:49 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| Zephyr_shreds wrote: |
| So the resister is what allows for two fan speeds? My van doesn’t have ac. I let a mechanic do the wiring. And he said I don’t need the resister and he didn’t use it. Now only the low speed fan turns on. He said in the summer I have to put the wire on the hi speed if it over heats. Then only hi speed will come on. Then he charged me 200$. Let me know if I should go egg his shop. Please help |
What year van? In most conditions low speed is fine. High speed was there for a backup to the low speed. Most likely the shop did not have the parts required and I’m guessing you wanted it back and the shop wanted it out of their way.
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Zephyr_shreds
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2019
Posts: 185
Location: Bakersfield
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| It’s a 1982 diesel. My dad and I put the new gas radiator in with a new fan motor. I brought the mechanic the resistor cuz I thought I’ve been reading the resister is what allows 2 speeds, 3 speeds if u have ac. Ya I feel like he didn’t do the job right cuz I want two speeds. I could’ve done figured out how to make one speed come on with my dad. So that’s why it’s up to you guys if I should go egg his shop. Jk. But it’s a 1982 |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6572
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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| Zephyr_shreds wrote: |
| So that’s why it’s up to you guys if I should go egg his shop. But it’s a 1982 |
Super-impressed you kept an egg for 37 years just for such a purpose.
That's commitment. (👍🏼)
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17155
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Can you HEAR your low speed radiator fan? |
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The 82 diesel should have had the fan resistor built into it. You can tell if the fan has 3 wires going to it. The 82 also had two radiator fan switches. If you went to a single switch with 3 terminals you'll have to get a little creative with the wiring. It's documented here somewhere.
edit: For information. Most of us vanagon mechanics are up in years and have zero patience for squirrels. The idea that you'd egg his shop shows a level of immaturity that even if joking is not really funny. You catch more flies with honey. You bring a mechanic something that is not original and expect him to figure it out because you can't. Good luck sorting it out.
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