> I need a step-by-step e-mail tutor to help me through checking the A/C
> SYSTEM...
>
> Anyone want to step up to the plate? :0)

Sure.  Rip it all out and it will never cost you another dime.
Worked for me.  Here's what's left over:

http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/ac/

Then buy a $20 12V fan, wear loose cotton T-shirts and shorts, and
you can use the $1000s you saved for other Vanagon projects (like a
new tranny ;-).

:-)   <---- Note the smiley for the humor impaired.

Seriously though, I've run the $1000+ gauntlet on AC on another car
and decided after the compressor seals blew that I wasn't willing to
pay the price of cool air.  First the compressor, then the dryer,
then it's a recharge, whoops! leak somewhere so recharge again for
$100+, only works on high - replace series resistor, now a relay
doesn't kick in, wiring gets hot and fries, etc., etc.

I just have a $50 window unit for when I'm camping with 110V.  Then I
can sleep.

-Karl

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 GL Weekender  "Beverley"
Mechanic list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops
Busses by the Trail - Oct 15-17, 1999: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/bbtt
PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/pavanagon