Date:         Sun, 15 Aug 1999 05:44:18 -0700
Reply-To:     "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@CWIXMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@CWIXMAIL.COM>
Organization: The Hanran Enterprises, Inc.
Subject:      Re: Blinking Red Light
Comments: To: Lee Brewer <brewbag@yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Lee,

Thanks for the supplemental information.

In my case, the voltage stabilizer metered at 6.6 volts, out of spec,
and in replacing it, all of the symptoms outline disappeared.

Regards,

Tom Hanlon

Lee Brewer wrote:

> lest we not forget on other tidbit of info.  the light
> will flash if the coolant mixture is out of spec.  the
> probe measures resistance thru the coolant. if the
> coolant is not within either side of 50/50 ratio (to
> water) than the light will flash. see bently manual
> for significant details.
>
> The light will will flash (as designed) for these 3
> things:
> low coolant
> high temp
> out of spec mixture ratio
>
> If the system voltage is out of spec, the light might
> flash but there will be many other symptoms as well
> such as pegged needles and other gauges not working
> correctly.
>
> Lee
>
> --- "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@CWIXMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
> > RE: Flashing red light and no apparent coolant
> > system cause, e.g., boiling,
> > steaming, fan-running, etc., look to see if the fuel
> > gauge, the clock, and/or
> > the coolant gauge are erratic, or erroneous----
> > BEFORE you see the dealer. If
> > they are, check the "voltage stabilizer" on the
> > windshield side of the dash
> > panel, under the removable hood..  It is mounted
> > next to the clock on my 84
> > Westfalia.  It should test 9.5 to 10.5 volts while
> > the ignition is turned on.
> > If it ranges above or below those numbers, it is
> > faulty.  (Bentley 90.4 Figure
> > 2, "Voltage Stabilizer.")  The part is about $12.00
> > at VW dealer, and the parts
> > man as local dealer says it is common to VW
> > products.  Mine failed, and thanks
> > to dagbear and Noto-Gaudette, my problem was solved
> > by replacing the
> > stabilizer,  The main symptoms in my case were the
> > flashing red light, "slow"
> > clock, and the coolant level/temperature off the
> > scale and no apparent coolant
> > temperature range excess.  Before replacing the
> > voltage stabilizer, I checked
> > the thermostat, flushed and changed the coolant
> > (which the van needed), and, in
> > general, hassled unnecessarily.
> >
> > I posted, recently, this information.  See the
> > Archives.
> >
> > Tom Hanlon
> > Palm Springs, CA
> > 1984 Westfalia
> >
> > Todd Last wrote:
> >
> > > Page 37 of the 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon and
> > Transporter Owner's manual:
> > >
> > > WARNING LIGHT
> > >
> > > For a bulb check the red light in the coolant
> > temperature gauge will flash
> > > for about 3 seconds when the ignition is turned
> > on.
> > >
> > > If the light flashes while driving, the engine may
> > be overheated because of
> > > low coolant level or V-belt damage.
> > > Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road,
> > stop the engine and depress
> > > the emergency flasher switch.
> > >
> > > The fan should be operating when the warning light
> > is on (listen for fan,
> > > located in front of the car behind grille.)
> > >
> > > If a visual check shows that the coolant level and
> > V-belt are normal, but
> > > the warning light continues to flash,
> > > contact your nearest dealer to have the cause
> > located and corrected.
> > >
> > > Todd
> > > '88 Westy
> >
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com