about radiator fan, and other questions

[Chris Cappuccio]

I got a 1988 audi 80 quattro recently.... I noticed some interesting things,

1. When the car is sitting around idle, the temperature keeps going up
and the fan never goes on.  Ok, turns out it wasn't connected.  But,
when it is connected, it always stays on.  (I had a 1985 5000, and when
the thermoswitch went out on it, the fan kept itself off.  Here, the
fan is staying on.)  I tried swapping the relay with the air conditioner
relay, (same part) and the fan still stays on.  I unplugged it again for
now (it is cold outside, I should be OK if I watch the temperature indicator.)
Could the thermoswitch be doing this?  I don't think it is the relay
and I'm not sure what else to check...

2. On the highway, it seems that above 4000RPM, the electrical system
starts acting strange, perhaps this is an issue with the alternator.  The
dash lights and headlights get dim for a while, then switch to normal, then
dim, etc... High RPMs seem to trigger this.  Some posts on here seem to suggest
that I should check the fusible link too.

3. The car is a little hard to start, it likes for me to tap the gas when
it is starting.  No visible leaks of any sort in the fuel injection stuff.
tips ?

4. It seems that when I mess with the heat/cooling controls (it has the basic
system, not the automated one), I can lose/gain power to the stereo/lighter
plug.  I am thinking, look for loose plugs/wires.... Where should I look ??

Thanks,

-c