Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:38:36 -0400
Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Temp Gauge
In-Reply-To: <46276AA9.8010007@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=windows-1250; format=flowed
Thanks, Mark.
By obsveration, I've noticed the difference between my '84s and my '85
is when the coolant level gets low on the '84s, and the red light
flashes, it will cause the temperature needle to peg to the hot side ...
even when it's not hot. On the '85, the temperature needle does not peg
just because of low coolant level.
Mike
Mark Drillock wrote:
> Actually, it is a temperature warning light first and a coolant level
> warning light second. Early watercooled Vanagons had no coolant level
> warning system but still had the flashing light, same gauge. The coolant
> level circuit was added by use of a relay that simulates an overheated
> engine and is wired in parallel to the original temp sender.
>
> Whenever the temp gauge raises too high, the led flashes to get your
> attention to look at the gauge. Also whenever the coolant level has been
> sensed low for a short time, the led will flash.
>
> The led is explained in the owners manuals, though not very completely.
>
> As to David's issue, this is something that has long troubled me about
> the method used by many Subaru engine conversions to adjust the Subaru
> temp sender to the Vanagon dash gauge. Many do this with a resistor,
> selecting a resistor value that when put in series with the Subaru
> sender gives a temp gauge reading they are happy with on the Vanagon
> gauge under normal driving. How this combination of parts could be
> expected to give consistent readings at all engine temperatures is
> beyond me but I have not verified that it doesn't.
>
> The coolant level relay was modified during the 1985 model year to give
> improved behavior over the original version. There are 3 versions of
> this control unit, early, late, and latest. The first 2 versions have a
> "43" stamped on the top and the latest has a "42". All 3 have different
> part numbers on them as well. I have beat this horse to death many times
> here over the years so I will leave it at that.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Mike Collum wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> The Red light you're talking about is supposed to flash to indicate low
>> coolant level in the expansion tank.
>>
>> The Wasserboxer's expansion tank has a probe that screws into the top
>> where a wiring connector is attached. The probe extends down into the
>> tank and electrical connection is made by the liquid in the tank.
>> Should the liquid get low enough that there is no longer conductivity,
>> the red light will flash.
>>
>> Sorry, It's not a high temperature warning light.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> David Yates wrote:
>>
>>> This will be simple for those who know . . but . . I’ve had an ’86
>>> instrument cluster in my ’82 Vanagon (with a Subaru engine) for several
>>> years. I have the temp gauge ‘calibrated” by putting a resistor in
>>> the line
>>> as this more or less matches the sensor to the gauge. The needle sits
>>> in the
>>> middle of the dial when the engine has warmed up.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> When I turn on the ignition, the red light flashes a couple of times and
>>> goes off. I gather this is something to do with coolant level in the
>>> original vehicle (there is no sensor my setup). Is this correct?
>>> Is the
>>> red light supposed to come on when the engine overheats? If so,
>>> when/how?
>>> I had a couple of times when the engine overheated but the light did not
>>> come on. It would be good to have this warning.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Any help please? I’d know the answers if I had a later model van, I’d
>>> guess.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>
>
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