Date:         Fri, 31 May 2002 13:06:47 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Red temp light
Comments: To: "Spooner, Robert E." <bob.spooner@MIDDLETOWNPOWER.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <5963AA279742F8448AC841388185413A070CA5@wilmail.nrgenergy.c om>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 12:47 PM 5/31/2002, Spooner, Robert E. wrote:
>My understanding of the red led temperature light is that it is related to
>coolant expansion tank level only.  It does not indicate a high water
>temperature, per se.

Any signal that [if continued] would drive the gauge offscale will make the
light blink.  The coolant level circuit sends either a continuous or a
pulsed high-temp indication to the gauge (two different controllers,
changed sometime in '85).  The pulsed signal doesn't make the gauge move
noticeably, but it does make the light blink.  Check which one by pulling
the connector off the level sender -- if the gauge heads for the sky you
have the older type.


>So, in my TIICo-convert, I have some funky indications going on in this
>warm weather.
>
>The temperature needle hovers river around the first line over the
>led.  This is higher than with my stock engine, but seems ok, considering
>the different engine.  When on the highway for 20 miles or so (and only
>when its warm/hot out), the red light will start to blink.  I keep a
>watchful eye on the temp needle at this point, watching for a rapid
>change.  Nothing, the temp needle stays in the same place.  After a while,
>unrelated to a change in load or speed, the red light will go out.

If you have the old-type level controller then this is a gauge or a panel
voltage-regulator problem.  With the new controller it could be bad
controller as well, or dirty sender pins, or it could be that your coolant
is not conductive enough -- not likely, but recommend using coolant in the
overflow tank instead of water.  Test by shorting the sender connector --
if that cures it then clean sender or use stronger antifreeze mix.  If not,
then prob is in level control circuit or wiring to it, or panel voltage
regulator, or gauge.

david


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