Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 17:24:20 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: My Vanagon's blinking coolant light problem vs other
peoples'---it all blends together
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk0ACX-5=u8RtbgfkJHftO0XB6aP9KaJg49BWiFcTjJVJg@mail.gmail.com>
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If you are going to go to all that trouble, fix it.
I'm thinking of ordering a capacitor, and when I did that last month for the Digifant AMF fix the 22uF tantalum cap was $2.50 plus $12.25 shipping, so I ordered three for $14.00 shipping. I have one left for sale, $8 including shipping, if anyone wants it. I expect the 10 uF cap will be about the same. Maybe I'll do a group buy and save some folks a little money, I have a 15% discount on my next order. Beats the $80 plus shipping for a new one.
Stuart
David Beierl's fix (from the list archives, 2001). Note his recommendation to put in a brighter LED. He can also tell you how to add a buzzer:
"1) live with it 2) swap out your temp gauge 3) drill out the rivets holding the face on the gauge and remove face. Desolder circuit board from the two posts, carefully removing the coil wire from the right-hand post first. Desolder the +10v wire from the board. Remove the 10 uF electrolytic cap and replace it with a good one, preferably tantalum. Observe polarity -- there's a + mark on the board. If possible test with +10v and ground after removing cap -- light should not light. Wipe a damp finger across the pads where the cap goes -- light should blink until you dry it. Touch replacement cap across pads -- light should blink then go out. Put it all back together after thoroughly cleaning the circuit board with circuit cleaner. While you're in there, replace the LED with a brighter one, you'll never have a better chance."
David Beierl - Providence, RI http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/ '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage" '85 GL "Poor Relation"
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2014 11:58 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: My Vanagon's blinking coolant light problem vs other peoples'---it all blends together
I have another solution to the problem that I should have posted Friday.
But here goes. Remove the instrument cut out a black disk a little bit larger than the LED and glue it on the back of the needle. Then as long as your temperature is in the correct range, you won't see the blinking light.
If it gets out of range, you'll see it blinking.
Jim