Keep in mind that it is only A/C equipped models which even have that
external dual tap resistor. The non-A/C models have the smaller fan
motor with  hi/low speed wires right from the fan motor.

All Syncros have the larger fan, even those without A/C but the non-A/C
Syncros use a large external single tap resistor that doesn't seem to fail.

In other words, the resistor that fails is an A/C only part, not a part
intended for lighter duty and carried over to A/C.

Mark

John Bange wrote:
>>  It gives German engineering a bad name and it
>> makes German arrogance about German engineering a bad joke.
>
>
>
> You know, German engineering is a funny thing. It tends towards the
> ingenious, but it also tends towards a kind of complicated delicacy. In the
> case of the fan resistor, I think it was (like Dennis says) a cost issue.
> Under conditions it was designed for, i.e. intermittent use cooling the
> radiator, it probably would outlast the vehicle. With the AC systems being
> very much an afterthought, and designed by people living in a country where
> AC was a bit of an unnecessary novelty, it's not surprising that they
> didn't
> go for the added expense of a bigger resistor for AC equipped vehicles.
>
> --
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
>