sg wrote:

Hi List, I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with the fan for my heater unit.  Sometimes it comes on when I activate it, sometimes it doesnt.  When it comes on, usually it makes a squealing noise, and what's more, stops operating after a while.  It seems to like operating best when the van (85 vanagon westfalia, 'Buster') is moving.  All this data has led me to think the electric motor is just 'gummed up' or has some blockage, and maybe an inspection and possible cleaning will do wonders.  The thing is, how the heck do I get at this thing?  The Haynes manual says you have to remove the facia, which is what they call the dashboard, and to do this, you have do disattach the steering column from the facia.  Well, the steering column is attached to the facia by some funky shear bolts, which apparently you have to drill thru to get off. Well, I called my local VW mechanic looking to see if he had some of these bolts that I could use to replace the ones that I would be drilling off, and he's said, 'What a minute dude, you dont need to remove the dash, you can get access to the heater components from underneath towards the center, just remove the plastic cover over the shifter.'  Well, so I did this, and there is *some* access to the heater components, but it doesnt look like enough to get at the motor. So now, I'm confused.  Do  I need to take the dash off, and deal with the steering column, or don't I? Anybody done work on the heater before?  How did you approach it? thanks,steve & buster