Ray,

Unfortunately, the story is even more complicated than that.  I have an
'86 Westy and already played this game a couple years ago.  There are
different switches based on whether you have "Factory" A/C or whether
you have "Dealer Installed" A/C.  Factory A/C typically had separate
Temp and Fan switches, and had the receiver/drier in the back wheel
well.  Dealer installed units typically had the dual fan/temp switch
installed *left* of the steering column, and typically had the
receiver/drier located in the front drivers' side wheel well.  Oh, and
of course the compressor-->drier and compressor-->evaporator hoses (and
compressors naturally) are different as well.

If you have the "factory" unit, I think Bus Depot carries the switch.
If you have the "dealer" switch, you should be able to pick up a
retrofit from any auto A/C outlet.  Just take it in and have them match
it up, its a fairly common aftermarket unit, even though the original
may have oem'd to VW only.  May not look exact, but it'll be close.

Keith Hughes

>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>Of Ray Reinhard
>Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 9:38 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: '86 Westy A/C Switch Desperately Needed
>
>Now that summer (temperatures of 100+) has arrived in Sacramento, CA, I
>desperately need the air conditioner switch from a 1986 Westy. This
>circular, black switch controls on/off and fan speed (inner) and
>temperature (outer ring). Note that these switches are UNIQUE TO WESTIES
>of roughly the
>'85 to '87 vintage; a switch from a non-Westy vanagon will not work.
>
>According to my VW dealer, it's part # 175-272-327 but it's no longer
>being made. The manufacturer only sold it to VW, so that's no help,
>either. I have worked with BW Auto Dismantlers for the past 9 mo. with
>no luck. If anyone out there has such a switch, let me know. I'll pay
>almost anything!
>
>--
>Ray Reinhard
>
>
>
>
>