Try the rear windshield wiper moter.  Mine fried on a trip to FL and stunk up the van for days.
Gary
88GL

gregory wrote:

lately when i drive my '89 vanagon i notice an odor kind of like burning plastic coming from the rear of the van, not the engine compartment, almost from behind the tire. nothing was found stuck in there as if i ran over a plastic bag. i wonder if it could be the clutch, or the slave leaking fluid. any ideas?gregory