Ken's website shows the 251971284H as being for 86-92 Vanagons w/ AC.
What should those of us with 1.9L non-AC Vanagons look for. Mine has not
failed, but if this is a tough to find part, it behooves me to keep an
eye out for a spare.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.
1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer from a defunct company in San
Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.

Sent from my kitchen.

On 08/09/2011 10:12 AM, Ken Wilford wrote:
> Dear List,
>
> Just want to give the list a heads up on the state of the low speed
> resistor for the Vanagon radiator fan. As many of you know this is the
> large resistor that looks like a roll of nickles and lives behind the
> driver's side headlight. This resistor allows the low speed of the
> radiator fan to come on for all Vanagons from 86-91 with AC. The part
> number is 251971284H
> If this resistor fails it can cause only the high speed fan to come on
> at a higher temperature than normal. This can put added strain on the
> cooling system and even lead to the van overheating. Also if it fails
> it can cause problem with the air conditioning system not functioning
> properly. You can test to see if your low speed fan is working pretty
> easily. Just turn the ignition on and then turn the AC on at the
> temperature switch. The low speed fan should come on immediately. If
> it doesn't then most likely this resistor is bad.
>
> The resistor has been discontinued by VW a couple of years ago. I was
> getting them from Germany but that route dried up as well. Now there is
> no source of the original one available at the moment. We have an
> alternative unit that looks the same as the OE one, is from the same
> manufacturer, works the same, the only real difference is the plug that
> plugs into the electrical system is different so you have to cut the
> wiring off of your old unit and splice it on to the new one. These are
> available right now. I have about twenty. However the bad news is that
> these are now becoming scarce and I am not sure if I will be able to get
> any more in the future or if I do they may be even more expensive. My
> point is that if you have an 86-91 Vanagon and your resistor is bad you
> definitely want to get one now. However if you have never had a problem
> with this resistor, you might want to buy one now as a spare.
>
> I have been selling them to folks who are searching for them on-line and
> soon they will all be gone. I am not worried about selling them. I am
> concerned that there are folks on this list that are looking for them
> and can't find one or will be caught off guard by this issue.
>
> I just wanted to give you a heads up on this problem. If anyone is
> interested please pmail me off list.
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
> Phone: 856-327-4936
> Fax: 856-327-2242