Michael Korsak wrote:
>
> Hey Listees,
> I recently purchased my first vanagon!  A '90 Westy, white, with ~90,000
> miles.  I've owned it for about 3 weeks, 2 of which I was on vacation in
> Montana.  My question is in regard to the radiator fan.  During the one
> week or so that I have driven my van, the radiator fan has not come on
> once.  The temp guage shows that the temp has never reached the 3/4
> mark, and the temp warning lights have never come on.  I drive about 20
> minutes to and from work each day, going over a few PA hills, and have
> run a few errands, not much hard core driving.  The air temp has not
> risen above 90 deg. F during my driving time.
>
> I changed the fuse for the fan this evening and ran the van with a/c on
> for a while to try to bring the temp up a little, just to try to get the
> fan to switch on.  I didn't do this very long, only a few minutes, not
> long enough to cause a noticeable rise on the temp guage.  Needless to
> say, the fan didn't come on.  I also have been listening after the
> engine is turned off - still no fan.  Can anyone give me some insight
> into when the fan usually comes on during driving.  I'm wondering if I
> need to get mine looked at.  Thanks in advance to any tips from the
> crowd.
>
> Mike Korsak
> '90 Westy - unnamed
> York, PA

Hi Mike,

Generally the aux fan is controlled to provide 3 speeds:

                  A/C system switched ON   (spd 1)

                  Refrigerant pressures = >15 bar (spd 2)

                  Radiator coolant temp = >95*C  (spd 1)

                  Radiator coolant temp = >102*C  (spd 3)

If the cooling system is OK, the fan should NEVER switch on when
underway as the ram air lowers the coolant temp and the 95/102*C temp
switch never closes. When stopped there is no ram air and the radiator
temp rises and the fan should then switch on.

The A/C system should switch the fan on as shown without regard for
coolant temp.

Regards,     John