At 9/6/02 06:15 PM, you wrote:
>hills. Mechanic found distibuter was hanging
>up...screwing up timing. Replaced distributer with a
>spare.

Hmmm, I thought the dist was electronic.  I can't think of an item in it
that would "hang up" and affect the timing.  The timing advance is
controlled by the ECU isn't it?

Now...here is another oddity. My front fan/blower
>doesn't work. I've been using the rear blower/heater
>to pull heat off the engine when she gets hot. When I
>do this the vent by my right foot (above accelerator)
>blows cold....but will suddenly start blowing hot
>air...and the engine temp will drop. Then it will blow
>cold again.

Sounds like air in the coolant system.  Have you or your mechanic done the
coolant bleeding process?  If your mechanic is not familiar with the
vanagon, he may not know it is necessary.  This would also explain the
flashing light.  When the engine is running the water pump will pump all
the water out of the coolant tank and then it will look low to the
sensor.  Engine off, or even at idle, it will fill back up.

Good Luck,
Edward