The "sensor" is simply two metal prongs that touch the coolant. Current will flow, but a rather small amount, depending on the type of liquid it makes contact with. For any type of likely solution based on water, this current is enough to tell the circuitry in the dash what's going on. If you have a decent ohmmeter, you may be able to measure a resistance value when you put the probe in coolant, tho the reading won't actually be accurate because of chemical reactions that happen when you use DC. The Vanagon circuitry uses a type of AC. BTW the idea that you must have a 50-50 mixture of water and coolant for the sensor to work properly is a vanagon list version of an urban myth. Most any mixture, other than distilled water in a clean container, will be fine. You can learn more than you want to know about this if you go to the archives and look for: "coolant resistance thru coolant level probe" my post from 27 July 2001. Larry A.
On 9/19/07, Gilles Turmel <gilles.turmel@sympatico.ca> wrote: > > Hi, > I just bought a new sensor. I put it in water and test the continuity > between the two probes. Current should flow between the two probes. Yes > or no? I don't have any current flowing. Is the sensor good? > Best regards. > Gilles Turmel > |
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