Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 17:12:22 -0400
Reply-To: Dave Katsuki <dkatsuki@THEWORLD.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Katsuki <dkatsuki@THEWORLD.COM>
Subject: Re: Need help - the dreaded flashing red coolant light
In-Reply-To: <3D7C020E.1ED21D3A@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
I had the dread flashing red light recently (frequent but intermittant -
usually came on after running 5 minutes or so. Running fresh 50-50
mixture of Prestone orange, 5 year (?), no-phosphate antifreeze). I
first cleaned up the sensor connector and reconnected it. No luck. I
then took the sensor out of the coolant tank and inspected it. The sensor
pins looked very very clean (they look like some sort of stainless.) As
an experiment though, I thoroughly sanded the pins with 400 grit carbide
sandpaper. Reinstalled them and have not had any problems since. So
it's possible that I removed some sort of invisible oxide or film, or that
the sanding increased the effective surface area of the pins a little and
made the (maybe defective) sensor circuit) happier.
It's easy to try it. Your mileage may vary...
Dave
90 Westy
At 09:06 PM 9/8/02 -0500, John Rodgers wrote:
>There are many things that have to be "Right" on this cooling system. If
>any one
>of them are "Wrong" the light will come on. There can be no air in the system.
>And the coolant MUST be a 50/50 mix - antifreeze and water (best is distilled
>water)
>
>If the cooling system overheats, the light comes on. If the coolant level
>is to
>low, the light comes on. If the anti-freeze mix is incorrect - the light comes
>on. If there is air in the system the light will come on.
>
>If all else seems ok, check you coolant mix ratio. Remember - 50/50. No
>more, no
>less.
>
>If that is ok, park on a STEEP downhill grade, facing downhill. With the
>engine
>warm and the pressure cap off, run it at 2500-3000 rpm to really circulate the
>coolant. This should burp the cooling system. Top off as necessary with
>the 50/50
>coolant. Replace the expansion tank pressure cap. Give it a road test.
>
>Beyond all that, you probably have an an electrical problem somewhere.
>
>Good luck.
>
>John Rodgers
>88 GL Driver
>
>Michael Wagner wrote:
>
> > Folks -
> >
> > Need some suggestions. The dreaded flashing red coolant light has come
> on in
> > my '85. The van isn't loosing any coolant, the main coolant bottle and
> > overflow is full, everything appears to be fine. I've replaced the sending
> > unit that is on the main coolant bottle, so that isn't the
> problem. Nothing
> > else is obvious to me, so I need to start digging into the 'less obvious'.
> > Any suggestions are much appreciated. I know I'm not in any danger
> from this
> > condition right now, but in the even that the main bottle ever does loose
> > coolant, I'd like to be aware of it. And besides, the flashing red
> light is
> > just plain annoying.
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Mike W.
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