Piggyback-Ing on this thread on behalf of my 89 with similar problem of fan not coming on.  Mark, do your comments apply to the 89 as well?  Or should I be looking elsewhere?

- g

> On Jan 22, 2017, at 4:15 AM, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@COX.NET> wrote:
> 
> There are 3 versions of rad fan wiring for 86. There are separate
> diagrams in the Bentley for each version.
> 
> Only 1 version used the relay in position #5 for the temp switch high speed.
> 
> The other 2 versions used a stronger relay mounted separately higher to
> the left, above the ground stars. There is a strip fuse there too, on
> the base socket of the relay. If you have one of those versions, maybe
> that fuse has blown?
> 
> The rad fan temp switch doesn't know how hot the engine is, it only
> knows how hot the radiator is. If the hot coolant flow to the radiator
> is too small then the engine can cook but the fan won't come on. How hot
> is the top passenger side corner of the radiator? That is the last part
> to get hot.
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> thewestyman wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> Looks like I need a little help from the gurus.
>> ‘86 Vanagon.
>> Just flushed the system, changed the rad. switch, filled in new coolant, bled the system, ran the engine until hot.
>> The temp goes high and I’m waiting for the fan to start but it does not.
>> But if I short it at the plug of the temp switch of the radiator, it works.
>> Although the second stage I could not make work the same way.
>> Looking at the wiring in the book, I can’t find solution.
>> I thought, the new switch would do it.
>> Changed the relay at the #5 spot, as it is shown on the drawing.
>> But nothing worked.
>> Anyone has any idea?
>>