Date:         Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:03:08 -0500
Reply-To:     dbeierl <dbeierl@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         dbeierl <dbeierl@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: ye olde blinking coolant level warning light
Comments: To: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CABToOY+yp49hPxHcxD9Gy5h2PAy_w1PXHsVBNYykXXeeWcgC9A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

What Mark said.  These are classic symptoms of leaky timing cap on the edge
of complete failure, when resistance across the surface of the PC board
comes into play.  Make sure the input voltage (ten volts plus/minus a half)
is in spec before pulling the gauge.

Using a chip capacitor (10 uF, 15+ volt) will make it easier to replace the
cap without dismantling the gauge.

If the blinking stops after a couple seconds and then restarts thirty
seconds later, the level controller has triggered.  OTOH if it simply
blinks without ceasing, it's the gauge or bad input voltage.

On Mon, Nov 12, 2018 at 8:43 AM Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com> wrote:

> I am thinking this is the capacitor in the gauge.  here are the symptoms:
>
> -coolant tank is full.
> -light blinks intermittently.
> -seems to do this less often when the ambient temp in the van is warmer.
> -sometimes turning off the key and turning it back on will correct the
> problem.
> -sometimes turning the key to on, the light will stop flashing after a few
> second, other times not.  when it does stop, if you start the van it will
> stay off.  when it doesn't stop, if you start the van, it sometimes will
> turn off, other times not.
>
> What do you think David Beierl and other vanagon electrics experts?
>
> Thanks,
> Edward
>