Hey, here is one way.  I did this with mine when I had a hose to that rear
heater split and leak. I was in there anyhow.  Since I rarely use my rear
heater but it does turn off and work, I decided to take it out,
"temporarily" and leave the hoses in place for winter time replacement of
the heater.  Leaves a lot of room in the bench seat.
  Go to the hardware and get a double-ended hose barb...I used a regular
metal one from Home Depot...A couple of hose clamps, too.  Make a loop and
take the heat radiator and fan motor right out.  Put a wire nut onto the
live end of the power supply.  Done, for summer.
  I plan on replacing all my minor hoses when I pull my motor soon, so I
know I will be revisiting this soon, but I see no reason why you couldn't
use a fix like this full time.  The rear heater is only useful to me on the
coldest days..so if I am so inclined, I may put it back in there for
winter...but I probably won't...
  Cost you about $10 for this "fix"
  Don Hanson

On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 2:08 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> might have missed something , but I didn't see any responses to your post.
>
> still having the problem ?
> what have you done so far about getting the rear heater to be really 'off'
> ?
>
> it's all fixable.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David M" <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:33 PM
> Subject: Turning off rear heater
>
>
>  Have been driving my van in 110 degree heat with no a/c (does not work and
>> too expensive to fix $1000)
>> Power windows don't work so cannot open them. Phew!
>> Wish I could find a fan that fits the non-standard lighter plug.
>> Yes, I keep my curtains snapped on all the time.
>> My daughters sit in the back seat and swear there is HEAT coming out of
>> the rear heater. I checked and the lever is in the OFF position. Anyone
>> know about this. I hate to think the heater is pumping out additional hot
>> air into the already sweltering interior.
>>
>> -David, Phoenix AZ '87 Wolfsburg (The Sweatbox)
>>
>