reluctantartist wrote:I know this is an old post but I just saw it. I have a vanagon too. I think our heat setup is a little different. We get heat via the fan on the alternator so essentially the heat is always on.
This is identical to every Volkswagen built since 1963. Whether the source of the air is the engine's own cooling fan, or an assist blower, or the alternator-driven blower, the air supply is "always on". The heat exchangers are designed to cool the exhaust pipes any time the engine is running. The heater valves merely deflect the output from the exchangers to the cabin (when you want heat) or to the outside undercar air flow (if you don't want heat).
If you are getting heat when you don't want it, check the heater valve flappers AFTER you have ascertained that the lever and cables are intact.
You Vanagon owners have a byzantine cable system with little cable sheath clamps that can slip, especially after someone gets all tough on the lever and accidentally kinks a cable.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles