That particular mod is fairly common, and just a plain old good idea!  I
did this on mine, and it wasn't hard at all.  Just get a rear window
defroster switch from a junkyard Vanagon and tap into the hot wire from the
4-way flasher above that now-filled empty spot to feed your new switch.
Then, send a new wire to tap into your fan relay wire (the one that
activates the relay from the radiator temp sensor high-speed switch leg).
This is a good way to manually force your fan into high speed if your
sitting in a traffic jam on a hot summer day, and it's getting kinda hot,
but the fan's not kicking on high to bring the coolant temps down.  I love
this feature, and have used it many times.  It might save you from a
boilover (or worse!) some day when the rad fan switch decides to s**t the
bed.........
my 2 cents,

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Baker" <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: Windshield wipers ETC. questions.

> RE #2: I witnessed a strange add on switch to a vanagon
> which I considered purchasing. The owner hard wired an
> on/off switch in line with the radiator cooling fan so
> he could select the appropriate time to engage the fan.
> So, you may want to check for weird things like that!
>
> JB
> KY88GL
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> neil N
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 1:10 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Windshield wipers ETC. questions.
>
> Re: #1
> It could be that the arm is not positioned correctly, there's play in the
> relay rods or wiper shafts, or there's play between wiper arm and shaft
> where they connect.
>
> Try re positioning the wiper arm. Remove the cap, the 10 mm nut/washer,
> then
> carefully remove arm from shaft. The grooves on the shaft get worn so be
> nice to them. Bentley specifies 70mm or 2.75" from top of wiper arms to
> bottom of windshield seal, both arms parallel to the seal.
>
> If play in wiper relay rods or shafts, I think you can remove and replace
> them *without* removing dash.
>
> On my Vanagon, the wear was in the shafts. These parts are press fit into
> frames that bolt to sheet metal of van behind dash. Once parts are on the
> bench, it's not hard to R&R the new parts.
>
> I had my dash off. I replaced the wiper parts. IIRC the parts aren't too
> expensive.
>
> Re:#2
>
> The switch on the dash could do anything. Try physically tracing wires.
> The
> switch could be for the heater fan, a fan in the fridge (if you have one!)
> or ?? Check to see if there is power present at the switch.
>
> As a side note, if I ever sell my Westy, I'll have to come up with some
> kind
> of "owners manual" for all the stuff I've done and will do!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Neil.
>
> On 11/27/07, Chad Lyles <chad.lyles@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> As a noob, i have been learning and finding more things about my Vanagon
>> on
>> a daily basis... most of which is over my head but informative
>> none-the-less.
>> Anyway, since i have had my vanny (3 months now) i have had to change the
>> ignition switch the AFM and the alternator and battery cables. (i got her
>> for 600$ i'd say not too bad of a deal)
>> all relatively simple fixes (thanks to the listee's that helped me
>> diagnose
>> the problems)
>>
>> A quick update on Hoppy, after all the minor fixes she is running good,
>> but
>> i do seem to be getting horrible gas mileage. she runs GREAT other wise..
>> i
>> have put a lot of hard miles on her already to and from the Oregon coast,
>> to
>> and from mt hood... hi-way miles galore!
>> over all totally happy with her.
>>
>> NOW for the goofy questions.
>> 84GL AUTO.
>>
>> 1. wind shield wipers.... my wipers don't seem to cover enough glass on
>> the
>> drivers side? i am left with a HORRID blurry blind spot when it rains in
>> the
>> drivers side top and side corner of my wind shield... my question is ...
>> have they been installed incorrectly or is this a normal stock flaw?
>>
>> 2. i have an illusive (plastic) toggle switch on my dash that seemingly
>> doesn't do any thing... its just to the right of my steering column... it
>> appears to be after market... (because i cant find it in the book) there
>> is
>> no evidence that there were ever fog lights or any kind of anti-theft
>> device
>> (alarm etc) i cant tell where the wires go to...any ideas?
>>
>> 3. new AFM works great...(well better than the old broken one) but i
>> occasionally have a weird idle that is a
>> RRRrrrRRRrrrrRRRRrrrRRRrrr....then
>> warms up and every thing is as normal. what's that all about? is it
>> related
>> to the new (refurbished) AFM? because it didn't do it with the broken
>> AFM.
>> *after thought*  actually come to think of it ... it hasn't happened
>> since
>> i
>> changed the alternator??? coincidence?
>>
>> ok sorry this was kinda long but i think i covered it all.
>>
>> thanks in advance
>> Chad~
>> 84GL (auto)
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
> "Jaco"  (Bustorius) http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>
> Engine swap beginings: http://musomuso.googlepages.com/home
>