Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 11:28:16 -0400
Reply-To: Kevin Curry <kevin@IDRAW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kevin Curry <kevin@IDRAW.COM>
Subject: Re: Radiator fan dead?...FIXED!!!...Power mirror bonus! (Audi)
The wrecking yard gods have smiled upon me.
When I went back to retrieve the radiator fan (to keep as a spare), I
noticed that someone had taken one of the exterior mirrors off the
1987 Audi 5000S (just the glass), leaving the power mirror motor
exposed. It looked mighty familiar and upon further inspection, turned
out to be EXACTLY the same as the VW one. I promptly removed both
as I needed one for the set of power mirrors that I am putting on my
Syncro (not powered yet, but at least they won't flop around at speed). I
also removed the complete wiring harness for these mirrors (major
PITA) and, while it has audi connections, I'll attempt to change it over
to use in my van (someday).
I have yet to see a Vanagon with power ANYTHING at a wrecking yard
(I'm in the Los Angeles area) and do not know how many Audi 5000S'
meet this fate, but between the two it sure increases the odds of
finding what you need.
Hope this info is helpful
Kevin Curry
'87 Syncro Westy
>Hi,
>
>Well, I'm a happy camper! Here's the story.
>
>I tried jumping the thermoswitch...nothing.
>
>I replaced the resistor behind the driver's headlight...no change.
>
>I went to a parts yard today and found an Audi 5000S...I found out
from
>another lister that they have the same fan (the chances of finding the
>correct year Vanagon in a yard are slim)...I pulled the fan (Audi
>part#443-959-455E as opposed to VW #251-959-455M)), they
wanted
>$31 for it, but I had left my wallet at home, so I stashed it in another
>car for tomorrow. It's identical to the one in my Syncro.
>
>I got home and ran 12v directly from the battery...my fan works, so I
>guess the one at the yard will go to waste...or perhaps I'll go and
grab
>it to have as a spare or for a fellow lister who needs it (and yes, I
>tested it and it works)
>
>I then re-read some older posts and came across one describing
the
>same situation as mine. (Bill Transue on Sept 2, 2000...I sent him a
>thank you email, but it was bounced back). His remedy was to clean
>up the grounds that are situated behind the fuse panel (those two
>hubs that hold 8 grounds each). He mentioned in his post that one of
>these was clean and the other corroded (same situation as mine)
and
>upon his cleaning them up, everything worked fine.
>
>I also pulled the relay that is above and behind the fuse panel as it
>appeared to have some corrosion or dirt on it (it looked OK with a bit
of
>white powder on it which I cleaned off).
>
>It's a pain working back there as it's a spaghetti bowl of wires, but I
>managed to clean them as best I could...not as clean as I would've
>liked, but MUCH better. I hooked everything back up and tried
jumping
>the thermoswitch again...YESSSSS!! BOTH speeds!!! I then turned
the
>A/C dial and the sweet sound of the low speed fan filled the night
>air...(sorry about that).
>
>I don't know if the corrosion on this hub involved my originally loosing
>low speed or if that was just a coincidence., as the resistor behind
the
>driver's headlight WAS badly cracked).
>
>My thanks to all who offered their assistance...hopefully THIS info will
>help someone else out.
>
>Kevin Curry
>'87 Syncro Westy
>(stayin' cool)
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