Date:         Wed, 11 Aug 1999 23:46:33 PDT
Reply-To:     Tony Peet <tpvw@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tony Peet <tpvw@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: The little red light (a little bit long)
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Kate.

I do not pretend to know why the little red light is pestering you.  This is
indeed a very deep question.

However, I HAVE just had some interesting experiences with the little red
light, including a great on-the-road fix from Jerry at J&R VW vans, so I
will pass them on for what they are worth.  Any correct use of technical
terms on my part is remarkable. I trust that others on the list will
correct/illuminate where necessary.

First, as far as I know, the ONLY reason the little red light will flash
with the engine running AND the coolant temperature in the NORMAL RANGE is
that the coolant level in the MAIN tank (the one you have to remove the
engine cover to see -- NOT the expansion tank you can see behind the license
plate)is low.  The owners manual states this clearly.......(Happily, in my
'91 Vanagon, the light/sensor appeared to 'reset' each time I turned off the
ignition -- flashing when I turned on the ignition, going out once the
engine started, and then coming on again after the engine was running ONLY
IF the coolant level in the main tank was low.)

So...twice after long periods of highway driving and then a rest, the light
would start flashing. The expansion tank was full, but the main tank was
almost empty!  So the fix worked like this:  get everything you need to add
fluid to the main tank ready in the back with the engine cover removed. This
might include water (remember, on the road 'emergency' -- I used Crystal
Geyser!), a pair of pliers to loosen the clamp/hose on the main tank cap,
and some kind of device (eg a pen or your right hand if you are
ambidextrous) to hold the throttle open.  Start the engine and use the pen
to get the engine at about 2200 rpm.(I actually was around 2000 and it
worked)Only then remove the hose/cap and add water to fill up the main tank.
  Replace the cap/hose and remove the pen.  DONE.

This worked BEAUTIFULLY for me.  The coolant level normalized in the main
tank, the little red light went off, and (in my case) I could trust that I
could keep driving since I could periodically check the expansion tank and
knew I could trust the light to tell me if the main tank got low
again....which it DID on my next trip but THIS time I had bought official VW
coolant (ha!) and used THAT to fill up the main tank.

I assume this all happened because of air in my cooling system (below) but I
don't know.  Anyway, everything is still fine over 500 miles (and a long
camping trip with many different driving conditions) later!

I know there are some potential dangers in doing this procedure wrong and
that the cooling system is nothing to mess with if you don't know what
you're doing.  I hope someone will comment constructively on this, and in
particular why it is so crucial to have the rpms up before opening the cap
etc.

I don't fully understand this procedure: I just know that it worked for
ME.....AND gave me some confidence that I could get more involved with the
engine and make semi-substantive emergency repairs if necessary......As to
why the little red light is pestering YOU -- well this only you can know --
if indeed it is knowable at all!

Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............



Tony
'91 Syncro Westy ('Teepee')

>From: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
>Reply-To: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: The little red light
>Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 00:34:25 -0400
>
>Kate, you still have some air in your cooling system.  Your mechanic should
>be glad to rebleed the system since it appears that he did not do the job
>completely.
>
>John
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Kate McLaughlin <KateMacMac@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 10:58 PM
>Subject: The little red light
>
>
> > Hi all!  My 86 Vanagon, Stella, has recently regained consciousness (her
> > transmission was rebuilt).  Anyway, I've noticed that the warning light
> > for the coolant has been staying on after I start her up.  The problem
> > usually resolves itself after I turn her off, and restart.  I have
> > checked the coolant levels, and all is fine.  I had the sensor replaced
> > in March or so.  Any suggestions on why this crazy little light is
> > pestering me?
> >
> > Peace, Love, and Granola
> > Kat


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