Folks:

My '87 Syncro Westy has front fan problems. Problem: when I turn on front fan,
it won't even turn unless you *hit* the dashboard in just the right spot, and if
you do, it'll quickly fade to nothing on 1 and 2, but 3 will last a while before
petering out and stopping.

I've replaced the fan switch on the dash - nothing. I've ordered a new fan. The
part that I don't want to go to the dealer for is the wiring harness that goes
from the fan switch to the fan itself - which includes an in-line resistor, from
what Bentley tells me.  I'd like to;
1test the resistor to see if it does or doesn't work, but I don't know how...
and,
2)replace the resistor with something reliable without having to go to dealer
for a $78 wiring harness (Radio Shack may have the right resistor?).

Can someone give me some help with 1 and 2 and/or from experience, can someone
put my mind at ease that the in-line resistor is fine and its just the fan?

Also, while I have dash out, what are the top 5 things I ought to do while I'm
in there?
Thanks Kindly!
Dan