Date:         Thu, 7 Dec 2000 08:38:58 -0800
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: Expansion Tank Sensor
Comments: To: James Creech <jacreech@VISUALLINK.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Aha!  Mine has the little puddle around the sensor, but I thought it was a
> worn out O-ring.  My dash coolant light only blinks when I am starting the
> engine, not ever that I've noticed when I am driving.  Couldn't it just be
> the O-ring?

It could be.

Since my light doesn't blink continuously, but does at start
> up, wouldn't that indicate the sensor for the guage is still OK?

NO. Blinking at start up is just a self test proceedure. I believe the
sensor could still be bad. How? .... pull the plug on the top of the sensor.
Then look inside the top of the sensor where the contacts are.... is there
coolant in there? If there is then the expansion tank could possibly go dry
but the coolant inside the plug connection could fool the system by allowing
current to pass through this small amount of coolant from one of the
contacts to the other....

If it's wet in there replace the coolant level sensor or risk having a
sensor that will not register low coolant.

Bill