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Date:         Sun, 9 Mar 2008 17:37:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Electrical Fire and wiring help
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2008030916114270@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

The fans that push the air (there are two of them) in your AC (in the rear mounted OEM ones) draw a fair amount of current. As you have found, the wires for them go up the D pillar (rear most pillar on the left side of the vehicle.) As the vehicle ages, it is not impossible for the connectors to oxidize. As oxidized metal doesn't conduct electricity as well as clean metal, the resistance results in heat being generated.

When I have looked at the wiring on my 86 I have found heat related indicators on the connectors (yellowing and browning of the otherwise white plastic that houses the connectors.) A little emory cloth on the male connector can go a long way to helping reduce this issue.

However, that is not the only place that corrosion can occur. Corrosion can occur at any place that there is a junction or the insulation on the copper wire has been compromised. One such junction is between the copper wire and the brass connectors themselves (rather than between the brass connectors on two different wire harnesses.) If water has gotten into this area (condensation overflow from the evaporator for instance), it can cause the copper of the wire to start corroding. This can be VERY hard to see and harder to deal with (if you see green stuff it is probably the copper corrosion). You may end up having to replace a lot of wire.

In your case, due to fire, you'll have to replace the wiring anyway. So this is more a note for others.

On Mar 9, 2008, at 4:11 PM, Jamie Auch wrote:

> Hi folks, > I wanted to thank all who responded for their help. I disconnected > the AC fuse box from the alternator and replaced the battery. > The radiator fan stopped and the bus starts and runs under it's own > power! > > Jamie


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