Date:         Sun, 25 Feb 2001 12:30:23 EST
Reply-To:     CMathis227@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Mathis <CMathis227@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Coolant Level Red Light -- The Other Annoyance
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The coolant level led on my '85 is starting to get on my nerves.  In January
I drained my old coolant (green stuff), flushed the system with lots of plain
water (yuck), refilled with a 50/50 mix of Prestone 5/150 (orange stuff) and
distilled water, and bled til I got it right.  At the same time I replaced
the coolant level sensor and o-ring since the old one was leaking coolant
through the sensor.

Afterward the led started flashing so I did the bleed thing again (elevated
the front and opened the bleeder).  The light acted normally for a couple of
days then started up again.  This time the overflow tank was low so I added
some more 50/50 mix and the light went away.  Everything was good for a week
or so then the little nagger came back!  There are no bubbles in the fill
tank, the overflow has plenty of juice, and when I crack the bleeder I get
nothing but nice orange juice.

The coolant temp climbs a little higher when the led is on -- normal is just
below the led and with the flash the needle climbs to the top of the light.
My normal commute is only four miles at slow speeds but the needle didn't
climb any higher on a recent 20 mile trip to the airport at Houston highway
survival speed.

The led flashes when the key is turned on then stops a few seconds later.  If
I leave the engine off it starts flashing in about 45 seconds to a minute.

What the heck is it trying to tell me?

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy -- 'Roland'