Date:         Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:08:28 -0500
Reply-To:     dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Blinking stops, relay out ...
Comments: To: dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET
In-Reply-To:  <49136b0e.07045a0a.78c0.ffff88b8@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Does anyone on the list have an explanation as to why the light will
only blink on cold startup in cold weather onl and will often only stop
blinking after several stop/restarts. I have searched the web and found
a variety of theories but none pertaining to my specific symptoms.
Thanks all.

David Clarkson
90 Westy
266k

-----Original Message-----
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 5:09 pm
Subject: Re: Blinking stops, relay out ...

At 05:34 PM 11/5/2008, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>When my '84 does that I just drive it.  It seems to 'dry out ' and stop
>after a while.

Jake, yours is probably the gauge.  Leaky electrolytic cap that
almost prevents the blink from shutting off in three seconds as it
should, tipped over the edge by humidity causing leakage across the
board.  Like a lot of VW circuits this one is wicked sensitive (i.e.
high-impedance).  Cure is replace the large capacitor inside the
gauge.  Not difficult if you can do reasonably delicate
soldering.  You have to drill out the face rivets and unsolder the
delicate leads to the gauge movement, then unsolder the board from
its mounting to get to the cap.  Tantalum cap is best for replacement
but aluminum ok.  Remember polarity matters.


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