Date:         Fri, 26 Jan 2001 01:19:26 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Flashing Coolant Light
Comments: To: Russell_Talbot@MONITOR.COM
In-Reply-To:  <852569DF.00405DA5.00@smtp.monitor.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 06:56 AM 1/25/2001, Russell Talbot wrote:
>A little while ago there was considerable conversation around whether the
>coolant light could come on without driving the temperature gauge way up.
>Unfortunately, I don't remember what the final verdict was on the matter
>(or if
>one was ever reached, for that matter).

Some do and some don't.  That much is established.  We haven't learned what
the differences are yet.

>  This is exactly what has started
>happening in my '85 Westy.  The light in the middle of my temperature
>gauge has
>started flashing a lot even though the temperature itself does not seem to be
>any different than it should be.  The coolant fill tank is right at the max
>line.  Am I correct in thinking that the flashing light is supposed to
>register
>low coolant?  Any suggestions as to what I should do or look for?

Start by unplugging the connector on top of the expansion tank and shorting
carefully across the pins.  If the light goes out, then you may need to
clean or replace the sender, or you may not have enough antifreeze in the
mixture.  If it doesn't go out (takes several seconds so give it a minute
before you give up) then you likely have a problem in the gauge or in the
low-level warning controller (relay-looking thing stamped with "43" on top,
located near the ground clusters above and forward of the fuse panel.  I
think (hope) you can reach it from above by taking the panel cover off.

OOOPS -- just read more carefully.  The level in the fill tank is
irrelevant; the expansion tank should be completely full of coolant.  If
it's not then you're probably experiencing a perfectly correct low-coolant
warning.

david


David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"