Date:         Wed, 24 Mar 1999 14:44:06 -0500
Reply-To:     s_walker@MINDSPRING.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Walker <s_walker@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: 85 1.9 w/AC Overheat at Idle
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

It's fairly simple to test the fan switch (temp sensor) if you have a
multimeter.  Since you mention having A/C, does your radiator fan come on
when the A/C is on?  If not you may have wiring or relay troubles there.
That happened to my Rabbit but since I had tossed the A/C, I simply ran a
wire from the positive terminal on my battery to where the A/C hot wire
normally entered the sensor.

Scott


>Here is my question. My van has alway overheated only at idle, and I want
to know why. Recently it overheated in traffic and I pulled over and let it
cool down. I checked the radiator fan and it did not run. I checked the
coolant level and then proceded to my destination.
>
>The next morning I pulled the grill and looked at the radiator fan switch.
It was new as my mechanic indicated. I pulled the connector loose and jumped
it out and both speeds worked that way. I plugged it back in and ran at idle
to overheat and it never came on. The radiator was not hot to touch.
>
>I refilled after letting the van cool down. I had to idle to about 3000 RPM
(vs. 2000 recommended in the Bentley Manual) to get coolant at the radiator
bleed screw. Then I ran pretty hot, but no radiator fan. I could feel a warm
radiator, but how warm?
>
>I am wondering about what else to look for. Should I look for flow
problems, refill the radiator, test the new radiator fan switch?
>
>Thanx
>Mike O
>
>
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