Date:         Sun, 17 Sep 2000 16:13:44 -0600
Reply-To:     "Justin B. Jensen" <jjensen@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Justin B. Jensen" <jjensen@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: heater blower
Comments: To: Michael Samson <mcsrugs@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <39C52B05.21E6@attglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I assume you mean front (as opposed to the rear auxiliary heater).  To
replace the front blower you will have to remove the dashboard along with
the instrument cluster to gain access.  Its not as bad as it sounds - I
recently replaced mine over the course of a Saturday-Sunday.  If you are
going to attempt this I would recommend you replace the following:  Blower
fan, ballast resistor and heater core as they are all contained within the
blower motor housing. Additionally, you will need to purchase the metal
clips that are used to hold the housing together once you break it apart to
gain access.  If you have question let me know.

Justin Jensen
SLC Utah

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Michael Samson
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2000 2:35 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: heater blower


Having recently become a Vanagon owner, it's time to anticipate the
onset of cooler weather. The heater blower in my '88 appears to be
inoperative. I've only had time to do a basic and superficial diagnosis;
fuse is OK and there is current at the appropriate terminals on the back
of the blower switch. I haven't had the opportunity to secure a Bentley
manual yet- so could someone give me an idea of how much of a task it is
to replace a blower motor in one of these things?, i.e., location of
motor, how much disassembly, time involved, etc.

I have considerable experience as a mechanic, but none on Vanagons. My
experience is focused on 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd- generation Rabbit/Golf/
Jettas, 1st- and 2nd- generation Quantum/Passats, and also Audi 4000s
thru A6s. Thus, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Michael Samson
Rochester, NY
'88 Weekender