I don't doubt you a bit. I believe I have seen non-A/C 86 models both
ways, small fan and large. In the old dealer parts microfiche there was
a comment that the larger fan was fitted on vehicles destined for warmer
climates and those with A/C. I have 2 1987 Vanagons, one with A/C and
one without. Both have the resistor behind the headlight but not the
same part of course. Bentley does not have a wiring diagram that matches
the wiring in my 87 without A/C. Both my 87s are Syncros so maybe that
makes a difference in the factory's use of the larger fan in a non-A/C
model. I think they just starting using the bigger fan in most models so
that it would be simpler to add A/C later if a customer wanted it. A
careful reading of the schematics supports this view, not that anyone
but me cares.

All watercooled vanagons have at least 2 rad fan speeds. The earlier
ones had a smaller fan motor with an INTERNAL resistor to provide the
low speed. Check the schematic in the Bentley for 1985 models and you
can see the symbol for a resistor on the motor side of pin 1 of the 'rad
fan' motor. The symbol was dropped from later schematics but it is
probably still there inside the motor in vans where the smaller motor
was used.

A/C equipped 2.1 models have 3 rad fan speeds. Low and high are
triggered by the 2 radiator temp switches. Low is also triggered by the
A/C whenever the A/C is on. Medium is triggered by the A/C whenever the
freon pressure is above a certain point (15 bar).

Mark

Eric Zeno wrote:
>
> That's kind of strange, because my old 2WD 1986,
> no AC, had a 2 speed fan, but no resistor at all!
> Go figure?
>                                               eric
>
> mark drillock wrote:
>
> > Nope, check the VW parts data. A 2 wire resistor unit is available for
> > non-A/C with one low speed and a 3 wire resistor for A/C to get the 2
> > lower speeds. High speed does not use the resistor.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > Eric Zeno wrote:
> > >
> > > To the best of my knowledge this resistor was only installed
> > > on Vanagon with AC.  This is what give you the 3rd speed
> > > on the 2 speed fan.
> > >                                            Eric
> > >