Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 03:05:32 -0700
Reply-To: Coby Smolens <cobys@WELL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Coby Smolens <cobys@WELL.COM>
Subject: Re: Noisy Radiator Fan
In-Reply-To: <25DD3D5C3EDED211AE460008C75B89FF051B55@seant042.starbucks.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I agree with the "high-speed fan" theory.
There are two wires close together at one end of the resistor and one at the
other end by it's lonesome. As I remember it, (I cracked the ceramic
insulation off a bad one years ago so I could look at it whenever I felt
confused - it's helped me tremendously. I'm a better man for it...) of the
two together the one closest the end is the "input" wire, its cohort is the
low speed "output" wire, and the loner way down at the other end is the high
speed "output". I'll double check this at the shop tomorrow, but the point
is you should have some value of resistance (continuity, in other words)
between all three wires. If there is a break in the low speed resistor coil,
the fan will not kick in until the fan switch reaches the temp which turns
the fan on at full speed. My bet is you'll find infinite resistance between
the two adjacent wires (and they seemed so close, too!)
Coby
Valley Wagonworks
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since 1959"
Volkswagen Bus, Vanagon, Westfalia and Eurovan
Repair and Service Specialists
1535 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA 94933
Voice:(415) 457-5628
Fax: (415) 457-0967
http://wagonworks.com
mailto:contact@wagonworks.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Brad Anderson
> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:26 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Noisy Radiator Fan
>
>
> Sorry, in my frustration I must not have been too clear: I pulled the fan
> and the motor as one and installed them in the newer cowling.
> A few listers have replied that I should check the resistor located behind
> the left headlight and also the thermoswitch, as my fan may be in 'high'
> mode only. I didn't know the thing had two speeds, but I guess that makes
> sense as there are two hot leads to the motor.
> So tonight, I'll have a chat with my pals Bentley and Haynes and
> figure out
> how to test the resistor. Or is this the type of component that is simply
> swapped out? Any ideas?
> Thanks again all for your suggestions.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert Rountree [SMTP:rountree@planeteer.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM
> > To: Brad Anderson
> > Subject: Re: Noisy Radiator Fan
> >
> > How come you didn't just get the whole fan off that van?.... go back and
> > get
> > it.... some day you will wish you did.
> > Rob
> > 87 Westy SyncroGL.....Cynosure 87k km
> > Moonstone Ont.
> > Syncro87@Hotmail.com
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Brad Anderson <BAnderso@STARBUCKS.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 11:58 AM
> > Subject: Noisy Radiator Fan
> >
> >
> > > Please help if you can...
> > >
> > > Ever since I rear-ended that damn Explorer (not my fault) 3 years ago,
> > my
> > > radiator fan has made a loud droning whenever it starts. The nose was
> > pulled
> > > out by the dealer body shop and the radiator was replaced, but not the
> > fan
> > > or cowling. Another shop took a look at it, decided nothing
> was touching
> > the
> > > blades, and that my choices were to either to buy a $300
> replacement fan
> > > motor or turn up my stereo. And so we rocked for three years.
> > >
> > > Well, some time ago, I inspected the cowling and found it to be
> > disfigured,
> > > so I straightened it as best I could with it in place, but no
> change. At
> > > this time I noticed the ends of the blades were indeed worn off.
> > >
> > > So, a while later I pulled the whole thing down and replaced
> the cowling
> > > with a clean one from a junk yard. At this time I noticed the had a
> > slight
> > > 'unhappy' feeling when I turned the blades by hand, but I
> reinstalled it
> > > none the less. Less vibration, but still droning.
> > >
> > > Yesterday I replaced the fan with a beauty I pulled from a
> Vanagon at my
> > > local junkyard; it sounded great, by the way, when hooked up on the
> > bench.
> > > But after install, the same loud droning (enough to make other drivers
> > take
> > > a look around).
> > >
> > > Am I missing something? I am reasonably sure the thing is rotating in
> > the
> > > correct direction, and I know its not touching anymore. I didn't mess
> > with
> > > the balancing weights, either. Does the position of the spare have
> > anything
> > > to do with it? Am I doomed to rock and annoy passerby forever.
> > >
> > > > [Brad Anderson]
> > > > Noisy 87 Vanagon Syncro
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
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