---- Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I'm starting to suspect there's more to this story than a missing or stuck open t-stat. Besides that this van was from Miami (which may be why the PO might have pulled the t-stat), he told me there is a manual switch installed (which is installed on the steering column) to turn on the radiator fan manually. In a parts box in the van, I found the original coolant sensor. I'm thinking the PO worked >around things or took some shortcuts to compensate for heating/cooling problems. (like the rag I found stuffed in the fresh air vent!)

Sometimes these vans have heater problems.  The cable that operates the heater valve can be kinked, and the heater valve itself may not close properly whether the cable is kinked or not.  either or both of these problems can cause the heater to be "on" all the time, and if the fresh air door is open, then hot air enters the cabin through the heater.  If the fresh air door itself does not operate properly, and the heater problems also occur, then a driver in Miami who did not know how to fix things properly might possibly take odd measures.  I do know from experience that if the heater problems are present, things can be quite uncomfortable in the summer.

mcneely