I've done the same thing as Dave, but kept it connected to the LOW speed.
If you keep it connected to the HIGH speed too long, the circuit gets too
hot and (as in my case,) the fuse box partially melted.  Not a very good
thing to happen.  Keeping the low speed fan on doesn't run the circuit too
hot and does not damage the motor.  Low speed going up the 6% grades or in
stop and go traffic works just fine in keeping the temps cool.  The
indicator light in the defogger switch usually catches my eye all the time.
--
Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
**********************************
On 11/27/06, Dave Vickery <davevickery@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I used a spare defroster switch installed in the extra hole in the
> instrument cluster and fed a wire  down to the fan switch.  It could
> activate low or high and I initially put in on low.  But I would sometimes
> forget it was on after reaching the top of the pass, so I changed it to
> run
> the high speed which I could always hear.  I hardly ever needed it, but it
> worked great to bring the temps down before the fan would normally kick
> in.
>
> Dave in Denver
>
>
> >From: Mike Kozak <kozakmike1@HOTMAIL.COM>
> >Reply-To: Mike Kozak <kozakmike1@HOTMAIL.COM>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: manual control of radiator fan - 87 westy
> >Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:13:16 -0500
> >
> >Greetings all,
> >
> >I have had problems with the low and high speed operation of my
> >radiator fan and would like to know if there is a way to install a
> >couple switches to control the fan manually.  Any help would be
> >appriciated.
> >
> >Mike Kozak
> >87 westy