Date:         Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:08:38 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Flashing Coolant Light Sensor Test
Comments: To: David Shepherdson <shephersdon2004@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20060619164953.72556.qmail@web37710.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 09:49 AM 6/19/2006 -0700, David Shepherdson wrote:
>   I am getting the flashing coolant light in my 87 syncro. It is
> not a problem with coolant level or temperature. I have read some
> of the many archives which would suggest a ground in one of the
> wires, a faulty instrument panel, or wrong mixture. One question I
> could not find answered though. If the connector to the sensor is
> removed and the terminals shorted, should the light stop flashing
> (mine does not)? If the light simply flashes when the resistance
> goes below a certain value then this would be so but maybe it is
> more sophisticated than that? Can anyone answer this?

Unplug the coolant-level controller from the fuse-relay panel.  If
the light still blinks then you have a leaky cap inside the gauge
itself.  You can replace it if you drill out the rivets holding the
gauge together, then unsolder and remove the circuit board.  The
large electrolytic cap is the one you want -- suggest replacing with
a tantalum.  Remember to observe polarity, and clean the board well
as it's a high-impedance circuit (that's why humidity affects it when
the cap has gotten leaky enough to be marginal).  Before opening the
gauge, though, make sure your +10v panel supply is within spec; if
it's low the gauge won't stop flashing.

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