Brian,

My '86 syncro did the exact same thing last summer.  No fan then all of a
sudden the C-130.  This is indicative of the bad resistor behind the
headlight.  I replaced mine (Bus Depot) and no problem since.  The old
resistor had cracked ceramic coating and rusted through a winding.  This
resistor is not shown in my older Bentley.  Relatively cheap easy fix.

Kerry
'86 syncro 169k
kstanley@cas.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Doss [mailto:BDOSS24046@AOL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 12:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2 Speed Cooling Fan?

I'm not positive, but I think that an '88 should have a two-speed fan. Is it
the ceramic resistor that actually controls the kick-in of the fan? Lately,
I
think that my fan only kicks on just before the point at which the engine's
ready to overheat. When it does, it sounds like a C-130 takin' off!  So, I
believe that the low-speed setting is being passed up. Sound right? Anyone
know how to test? I checked the archives, but did not come up with the
two-speed hypothesis, just how to see if the fan works. Also, I changed my
thermostat a few months ago, and I have noticed the temperature needle
riding
higher than before, but, I'm not sure exactly how these two things really
affect each other. In other words, I don't see the harm of the engine
running
at a slightly higher temperature, as a matter of fact, I bet it's a little
more efficient that way. But, I would think that the fan would just have to
kick on low speed a little more often.