OK gang, I replaced the thermostat housing, thermostat, o-rings, and both
sensors on my 86 vanagon (w/AT) because I saw a small leak forming. You guys
gave me bleeding instructions (thanks to all). I did everything and took the
van for a test drive but my radiator fan never came on. I haven't driven the
van in a few weeks (was waiting on parts and time to repair) and remembered
that it took a while for it to go on but the temp gauge got just above the
flashing light area (the light wasn't flashing). NOrmally I always run the
A/C but here in Florida we had a cool wave (70's) so I was testing it w/o the
A/C. My question is, shouldn't the fan have come on by now?  The radiator was
feeling hot and the fan works with the A/C on.  I just don't want to drive it
and break down by overheating.
  I seem to remember having the same issue on my first vanagon after changing
the same housing.  Furthermore, the temp guage never has gone as high as this
in the past. Before the gauge broke it got no higher than just below the
flashing light.
Any e-mail help will be appreciated.

Dave