How To Fix A/C Fan Switch

[flaccidspatula]

I do have the photos! I just did this to my bug two days ago and took the pics while I was at it, but I can't post them today while I'm at work. If you PM me I'll try to get them to you sometime in the next few days.

Having just done this, here is what you need to do:

1) slip top front dash piece forward, up, and off
2) remove radio (you can use bread knives or something the right size if you don't have the wrench)
3) disassemble the dash one piece at a time. The bolts on them all are pretty straightforward, just keep looking around.
4) When you have access to the fan switches, you'll be able to see the mechanism at work behind the speed control. The plastic tube from the switch goes back and fits into a circular dish. a metal piece clips into the dish and when you rotate the knob, the metal piece slides along another metal receptacle, thus making the connection.

The problem is that the metal piece comes unclipped from that plastic dish - it's just a bad design. If you super glue the two parts together, it will be much better than new. Mine now works perfectly. Takes less than an hour.

[eggman]

Just need to send a thank you for this DIY on the fan switch. Mine went on me after I replaced the bulb. You really have to pull out the fan switch in one motion, with finesse, otherwise that little bimetal arm just shakes loose. We just got a foot and a half of snow in Southern Ontario, and I'm out in the driveway(with a portable heater in the car) fixing this problem in my wive's car. Getting that little metal arm bent back just right so it makes contact properly took a little doing. Must've tested it 8 times before I got the switch to work on all 4 speeds.
Anyways, I just want to thank the people responsible for this little fix. Props.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by eggman

Just need to send a thank you for this DIY on the fan switch. Mine went on me after I replaced the bulb. You really have to pull out the fan switch in one motion, with finesse, otherwise that little bimetal arm just shakes loose. We just got a foot and a half of snow in Southern Ontario, and I'm out in the driveway(with a portable heater in the car) fixing this problem in my wive's car. Getting that little metal arm bent back just right so it makes contact properly took a little doing. Must've tested it 8 times before I got the switch to work on all 4 speeds.
Anyways, I just want to thank the people responsible for this little fix. Props.

Glad to be of help after all the times the ORG has been there for me. I cant take credit for the original thread, but I did keep it alive...pay the love forward!!!

[budget90gst]

Just did this on mine. Thanks for the pics!

[GatorBeetle]

[Luv My 02 TDI]

I just fixed my Fan Switch but..... My switch was melted
I picked up a Jetta Switch and used the black plastic piece with the contact in it as a transplant part.

Works fine now. Just so you know the Jetta part that you see the Numbers for fan speed is slightly Larger than a Beetles. But the inside part is the same.

[lglamb]

fwiw,

someone on ebay has these 3-control units for $50ish. Look for seller carmella555555 .

I just bought one of these. Haven't installed
it yet, but it looks pretty good.

Lowell

[mgwerks]

Gator,

It's been forever since I logged on, but I still know where to turn for the best help. Thanks for resurrecting this post. My wife's switch died last week and it's already hot in Texas! Anyway, I just finished reassembling the switch and testing all the positions with an ohmmeter - all is well.

Points to you!

Mark

[icemoc]

This thread just saved me a couple of hundred bucks...
Thanks!