Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2015 16:43:17 -1000
Reply-To: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Funky temp gauge - update
In-Reply-To: <BLU436-SMTP222590160AFEFDCC402E204B8BF0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
LOL..
no one would troubleshoot an electrically-powered Display Function
related to a fluid ..
or fluid level ...............without checking the fluid level first ...
would they ? ?
( if I read the post right ) .
I'm not seeing the year of your van ..
be aware that there are two kinds of Coolant Level Warning Control Units ..
early ones like up to 84 ..
and on those ..if the level function goes off...the gauge automatically
pegs
( which is stupid ) ..
the later style is as you'd like ..the red LED flashes to indicate a
level issue, but the tamp gauge continues to reflect as you'd want.
See Van Cafe Parts. Get and put in the later type if you don't have one
already.
it looks like a relay ...hard to access up and to the left of the fuse box.
This needle-pegs-if-level- function goes off is a good example of german
engineering mentality that drives me nuts.
Notice how many things work right when they ARE right and have little
margin or no margin for less than perfect.
a good example....traditionally ..in the good ole days on cars or vans
that had AC ..
or PS too ..
if the PS blew out, you could just remove the belt and keep driving
without power assist but still have alternator and water pump going.
Like vanagons are .
Same if the AC blew out ..like on our vanagons.
in a modern VW ..like a golf TDI ..often the AC and alternator are on
the same belt..
so if say the AC compressor were to seize up ...you don't have the
option of running with no AC ..pretty dumb !
or at least without the AC pulley bearing functioning ..and granted they
seldom fail ..
still....
On 6/7/2015 4:30 PM, Jeff Palmer wrote:
> Hey I am single handedly trying to overtake the FB page in postings today! Hope nobody minds. Just got the van out a month ago and need to catch up.
>
> So here is the latest. Both temp and fuel gauges reading a little low, temp gauge would often flash indefinitely especially when conditions were humid, then the temp gauge started to peg immediately on startup. That caused me to finally take action.
>
> Advice was that it may be the voltage regulator (for the low reading situation), maybe the temp gauge (for the terminal flashing issue), and the pegging was unclear.
>
> So I had a new foil that i bought from Jeff Schwaia years ago just sitting around, and i bought a new voltage regulator last year, and bought a new temp gauge this year. Yes I hoard parts. Having the VR was handy since Jeff’s foil didn’t come with one :)
>
> Installed the new foil. Clock started to work! How about that. Tach worked too. No gauges though and then I realized there was no VR. Finally hoarding has a purpose!
>
> But the temp gauge continued to peg upon startup. Gauge flashed for five seconds then turned off.
>
> When I parked it last year I believe the coolant level was ok but i check it now and there’s none in the expansion tank.
>
> So i’m wondering if I’ve spent all this time thinking it was an electronic issue when the gauge is actually doing what it’s supposed to be doing? What legitimate condition would cause it to peg immediately upon startup?
>
> I need to flush and fill the van anyway - it’s overdue. I was using the G11 blue coolant which is apparently discontinued. That’s another story! I can’t even top it off with the G13 I bought at the dealer apparently.
>
> Any suggestions on the pegging temp gauge? Maybe I’m just ultra low on coolant (wouldn’t that be fantastic. Sigh).
>
> Jeff
>
