Date:         Thu, 8 Aug 2002 15:37:14 -0400
Reply-To:     Brian Cirulnick <techrat@OBSOLYTE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brian Cirulnick <techrat@OBSOLYTE.COM>
Subject:      85 blinking temp light, but not overheating
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Normal situation: -- Van starts, the red LED on the temp gauge blinks for
about 30 seconds, and then goes out.

My Situation since last Friday: -- Van starts, the red LED on the temp gauge
blinks forever. Cold, hot, humid, dry, it's just on until I turn the engine
off.

What I've tried since Friday: -- Checked coolant levels, checked the Vanagon
mailing list archives, replaced the entire Temp sensor assembly (in the main
water tank, next to the one behind the license plate).

I should tell you that the Van runs very well, there's no signs of
overheating, and the temp gauge needle is where it should be (dead center of
the LED, blinking or not).

For a while, I thought I had the problem solved by wiggling wires in the
engine compartment, but that doesn't seem to fix things anymore. The problem
appears to be not in the sensor, but in the electrical system -- something's
grounding badly, and causing the dash to think the light needs to blink.

I had read in the archives that there's also a relay involved (under the
dash)? Anyone know the exact location of this relay -- on a 1985 Waterboxer,
non-Westy, standard 7-passenger, manual tranny Vanagon?

Any other clues as to where anyone out there thinks the problem may be? Oh
sage cohorts, I appeal to your wisdom in my time of need.

TTYL
Brian Cirulnick

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