Date:         Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:02:52 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Help with coolant light flashing randomly - no leaks
Comments: To: Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <143122.87517.qm@web37301.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I once had this problem on my 84. I had no clue and had no fix for it for
over a year, maybe two. One day my odometer stopped working. I pulled the
instrument cluster to get the odometer out for repair. It was repeated
4 or 5  times until the fix worked. Funny thing is the blinking coolant
light problem never happened again.

I then took an opportunity to look at the diagram of my Bentley manual.
I found that there is an electronic device in the instrument cluster that
I could only explain that it is for the purpose of turning the LED on and
off for a few seconds after switching on the ignition.

So my conclusion is the cause of the blink light may be the device in the
instrument cluster. SO try to disconnect the big connector inside the cluster
and reconnect it. Maybe there is a bad contact that caused the blinking.

I could be wrong but this is easy to try.

David



--- Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> Guys,
>
> I am at my wits end with this.
> On an 87 Westy with an automatic, and 81K.  The engine is tight and none of the hoses leak
> coolant.  The coolant level is perfect.  I am having problems figuring out what to fix or
> replace to make the frigin flashing coolant light stop.
>
> This is intermittent.  You start the van and it goes off after a few blinkies and other times it
> will continue to blink for a long long time.
>
> The coolant tank is full, brand new, with a new cap and a new sender and good blue VW approved
> coolant.
>
> The engine is not running hot and the temp needle runs right in the middle covering the stoopid
> idiot light.
>
> I have played with the wires on the coolant sender and they are nice and clean and not frayed.
> I have put some dielectric grease to keep the contacts lubed.
> I have looked at the connector on the dash that connects to the blue foil and all contacts there
> appear fine.
>
> Lastly I tightened the 7mm nuts on the back of the gages that connect to the blue foil on the
> instrument panel thinking that their looseness was causing a faulty connection.  I was sure that
> was the problem.
>
> All was well.... and it reoccurs.  The blinks the twilight zone.   AAAHrgg!  Help.  What and
> where can I look to remedy this intermittent gremlin.
>
> Thanks
> Joel in Rochester.
> 89 Syncro Westy
> 87 blinker
>
>
>
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