Date:         Mon, 24 Jun 2002 21:14:40 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: more coolant blinker probs.
Comments: To: Jerome & Melissa Little <little@MINDSYNC.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <002a01c21b8e$d80b2430$7c070642@Yuba>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 10:53 AM 6/24/2002, Jerome & Melissa Little wrote:
>I'm a new owner of an 87 Vanagon GL.  For the past couple of days the
>coolant blinker light occasionally blinks for a few seconds and the car
>often "hiccups" at the same time.  The temperature needle seems fine,
>always right in the middle (well, just below light) at operating
>temp.  Coolant level seems fine, V-belt seems fine, I don't know about the
>fan.  What else?

Interesting -- a low-voltage condition could cause this -- assuming that
your expansion tank is full.  The low-level is for the expansion tank, not
the overflow tank.  Expansion tank should always be completely full, no
bubbles.

But if that's not it, try sticking a voltmeter on your panel for a few days
and monitor the +12v feed to the panel.  If it gets below ?11.5? volts or
so the gauge regulator will fall out of regulation and reduce the voltage
to the gauges, which will likely make the light blink.

If it is low voltage and is also making the motor hiccough, could be a
ground problem, could be all sorts of neat things.  You will be friends
with your voltmeter...

david


>Jerome