What are some things to check if the temp sensor fails to operate?  Mine
just stays pointed straight down no matter how long i drive.  i think that
it is not working.

Also, about the maple syrup smell from the rear heater core, if you were to
flip the white lever on the heater core it shuts off the flow of coolant
into the core right?  So if you smelled maple syrup you'd better do that
before the core really goes right?

Sorry for so many questions but i'm driving to from massachusettes to
florida tomorrow for christmas and trying to get my vanagon ready for the
trip.

Merry christmas everyone,

Andrew Fox