Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2014 06:30:01 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Warning light
In-Reply-To: <20141105101113.IKOD2.698886.imail@eastrmwml301>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The buzzer/warning light goes off together and is located In the temperature gauge ( tachometer)
Not by the oil can warning light speedometer area. It was going off at low idle coming off the interstate.
I checked the coolant and it was low. Filled it yesterday now need to test drive. Snow coming in this morning so my test drive will be postponed.
Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
> On Nov 5, 2014, at 10:11 AM, <mcneely4@cox.net> <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>
>
> ---- Dennis Jowell <dennisjowell@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> Got it. It's the coolant light going off at low idle once in a while. Will clean the 2 prongs on cap and check coolant level.
>> Thanks for the info
>
> but you said the buzzer goes off when you exit the freeway. The buzzer has nothing to do with coolant. It is a low oil pressure at high rpm warning.
>
>
>>
>> Dennis Jowell
>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>> Newbury, Vermont
>>
>>
>>> On Nov 4, 2014, at 7:45 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Just be clear which light. The oil pressure warning light is next to that
>>> oil can looking symbol in the center of the cluster. The coolant warning
>>> light is in the coolant temperature gauge.
>>> The oil pressure warning system is a bit complex. There are two sensors. A
>>> .3 bar (~4 psi) normally closed is located between the push rod tubes. There
>>> is a higher pressure switch .9 bar (~13 psi) normally open switch located at
>>> the rear of the engine. The switches use the different logic to provide a
>>> fail-safe. Defeating the .9bar switch will require connecting the signal
>>> wire to a chassis ground.
>>>
>>> With key on, engine off, the low pressure switch will be closed causing the
>>> light to blink. The high pressure switch is ignored. When the engine is
>>> started oil pressure will open the low pressure switch and turn the light
>>> off. Sufficient pressure will also close the high pressure switch. Above
>>> ~2,000 rpm the dynamic oil pressure control board will check the high
>>> pressure switch. If that switch is open you will get the light and buzzer.
>>> Once latched, it will stay activated until the high pressure switch is
>>> closed or the ignition is cycled.
>>>
>>> So your symptoms are indication a problem with the high pressure switch
>>> including even having the wrong one or a marginal oil pressure situation.
>>> Low oil pressure can be caused by a number of factors such as incorrect
>>> viscosity, high oil temperature, worn pump or bearings, clogged oil filter,
>>> oil dilution, etc. A healthy engine should be able to maintain close 10
>>> psi/1,000 rpm. There are times when the Vanagon engine cannot do this but
>>> not being able to maintain 12-13 psi above 2,000 rpm should get your
>>> attention. A common cause for high oil temperature is overfilling. The top
>>> mark on the dipstick is not the "full" mark. It is the "maximum do not ever
>>> exceed no matter what" mark. At oil and filter time 4.5 quarts is all you
>>> need. For the high pressure switch I am finding that much of the
>>> after-market stuff is inconsistent. Go to the dealer and be sure to get the
>>> correct one.
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>>> Dennis Jowell
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 3:35 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Warning light
>>>
>>> I am trying to understand the warning light on the temperature gauge of my
>>> 1988 Westy.
>>> Going off the interstate the light and buzzer goes on for a second. If I
>>> accelerate slightly the light and buzzer goes off. Is this telling me that I
>>> am low in coolant? Coolant temperature is mid range all the time. Or is it
>>> and oil pressure issue? Read my Bentley and owners manual still no
>>> explanation.
>>>
>>> Dennis Jowell
>>> Scotch Hollow Farm
>>> Newbury Vermont
>
> --
> David McNeely
>
>
