Nope, definitely the fan switch...

Z

Vince Nash <nash@COASTALNET.COM> on 02/11/2000 10:49:50 AM

Please respond to Vince Nash <nash@COASTALNET.COM>

To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:    (bcc: Zoran Mladen/AMS/AMSINC)
Subject:  Radiator Fan Switch

Hello, I'm Vince and I'm fairly new to the list.  Maybe someone came help
me. Yesterday I took a 3 hr. trip to Raleigh to pick up a fifth chair,  on
the way back I noticed the temp gauge was at about 3/4.  About 5 seconds
later the red light came on and the gauge immediately maxed out.  I quickly
pulled over to the shoulder of the road and turned the engine off.  I
checked the engine compartment and the overflow or refill tank was full and
was peeing coolant out the little holes in the top of the tank.  I did
notice that the radiator fan never turned on.   I waited about 45 min. to
let the engine cool down.  I filled the refill tank back to the max line
with water that I always carry for the unexpected.  On the way back the
gauge started creeping up above half way.  So I turn the heater lever to max
and within a few minutes the temp gauge was back to normal (about half way).
I talked to my local foreign car repairman.  He said to remove the lower
front grill and unplug the fan and you'll find a 3 prong connector, and to
jump one point to another to see if the fan comes on.  I did this and the
fan came on, there are 2 speeds.  He said if the fan comes on by doing this
but won't come on automatically when the coolant gets too hot that I need a
Radiator Fan Switch.  Does this sound right?  Or is there something else I
need to check?  Any input to this would be greatly appreciated.

Vince in NC
85 Westy
99 Beetle