Date:         Sun, 20 Jul 2003 20:53:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@MFX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@MFX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Remove AC Cabinet 84 Westy

The dealer supplied "Add on" air units, through '85, were different from
the factory supplied units starting in '86.

As to "No Fan" .... The first place I'd check is in the dash area.

Remove the fuse block to the left of the steering column.  Early Westies
equipped with air have two additional fuses attached to the right side
of the fuse block which are better accessed after removing it.  Both are
for the air conditioning.  The yellow one is a 20 amp fuse and the beige
one is 25 amps.

The next thing I'd do is pull the instrument cluster and check the A/C
dash mounted switch and its connections.  These run notoriously hot ...
especially if the contacts are corroded.

If you decide that you must remove the cabinet in the rear, gently pry
off the screw covers that are on the screws that hold the main air vent
grill to the front of the cabinet.  Remove the screws and the grill
(Just with the grill off you can access quite a bit).  Now support the
cabinet so that it doesn't fall.  I use a hydraulic jack on which I
place a square of plywood followed by some cardboard boxes.  Anything
that will "Fill the gap" is fine, but make sure that whatever is against
the cabinet is something that won't scratch it.  There are brackets that
hold the front of the cabinet to the bottom of the upper bunk in each of
the front corners which must be removed.  The speaker wires must be
disconnected.  There is a bolt inside the clothes closet that must be
removed and you have to pull the hoses off the connections where they
enter the condensation drip pan.  Remove the phillips head screws that
hold the blower's plastic housing to the cabinet.   Now remove the two
big phillips head screws at the rear of the cabinet which are facing aft
and are right above the shelf.  Remove the bolt at the side of the shelf
(driver's side in North America), and start lowering .... gently.  Make
sure that nothing hangs up .... and that I haven't forgotten anything
(just going on memory).  The evaporator unit is not bolted to the
cabinet and will not come down with it.

Mike

'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Helen Fahy" <72510.1173@COMPUSERVE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: Remove AC Cabinet 84 Westy


Hello,

You need to remove the shelf and then there are two screws at the top of
the cabinet and two at the bottom.  The shelf is held in by two pins and
a groove at the rear of the van and by a plastic encased nail on the
forward part of the shelf.  Grab the plastic nail/pin with a needle nose
pliers and pull out.  Then you, ...., well you wrestle the shelf out,
anyway you can.  It does come out, sometimes faster for me if I close my
eyes!

HTH

Helen & Joe Fahy
87' Westy
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Chris ALmida
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 4:30 PM
  Subject: Remove AC Cabinet 84 Westy



  Hello all:
  Can anyoine give details on how to remove the AC cabinet or access the
  parts inside while installed? My compressor kicks on bu no fan blowing
  so I need to check the fans, any fuses that may be in there and
  electrical connections but cant figure out how to access.
  Appreciate any help.

  Chris Almida