I had a kink in one of the heater cables, probably due to it sticking
and I was too forceful with it at the time.  This is worse in winter,
of course, since everything is more viscous.

For those that don't quite need to tear down their heater cables,
but feel they could use some PR, try the following:

Get a can of motorcyle chain lube with the long plastic tube for
reaching into tight places.  It's a spray can, kinda like WD-40.

Remove the ashtray and/or the instrument cluster (eave all the cables
and wires attached; you can just kinda look in there).  Find which
lever activates which cables and operate the lever such that the
maximum amount of cable is exposed.  Put the chain lube tube through
the lever opening in the dash and drip small amounts of chain lube on
the cable and operate the lever back and forth to work the lube into
the tube.  Don't use too much, 'cause it's sticky yucky stuff when
combined with all the dust bunnies and grime behind there.  Wipe up
any that drips down (if you can reach it).

I did this for all the cables even though only the hot/cold lever
needed it.  I bent the kink out and it worked fine all winter because
the cable had much less resistance.

BTW, I use the chain lube on the sliding door as well.  Easy to get
into place and then it stays since it's meant to stay on a moving
chain that would fling thinner lubricants right off.

-Karl
'87 Vanagon GL Weekender "Beverley"; Trexlertown, PA
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/
VW shop list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops