Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 11:05:57 -0500
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject: Re: Summer's coming and my van is getting hotter than ever!!
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John N. Motlagh wrote:
> You never notice how hot you are running, until it starts to heat up out
> side. So let me drop a couple of problems on the list, and see who pick
> them up.
>
> 1. The 86 2.1 runs temp gauge runs with the needle about 2/3 high, the
> fan will come on and bring it down a bit, and then it stabilizes. At this
> point I can turn the front heater on, and the temp takes a dive, about 1 or
> two needle widths below the LED. Is this normal behavior? I can put up
> with the warm tootsies for now, but I don't know if anyone has spent the
> summer in Dallas.
> 2. When I first turn on the van the blinking temp light comes on, and
> stays on until I stop and restart the van. It doesn't seem to matter how
> warmed up the van is. Thoughts on this?
>
>
>
> After reviewing the archives, I have found three cheap (and I like the way
> this sounds)
>
> 1. Flush and fill, but what mix for the summer? 50/50 (coolant/water)
> or 60/40? What brand for the van?
> 2. Replace the Temp II sensor
> 3. Replace the reservoir cap
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance!!
>
>
>
> John N. Motlagh
>
> 1968 Golden Westy
>
>
>
> BTW.
>
> Any list members driving the OD Green double cab on 1709 westbound, in
> Keller TX?
>
The circuitry for the blinking temp lite is often inhabited by gremlins.
You should of course be sure that the coolant is completely filling the
left hand tank. You can try wiggling/cleaning/checking all the
connections in the circuit and perhaps checking the voltage regulator in
the instrument cluster, but you may not find any objective cause for the
flashing.
Temp sensor II sends information only to the ECU to help determine
mixture, etc. It is not connected to the temp gauge or the flashing
lite in the dash. There is a separate sensor for the gauge. It also is
inserted into the housing near the thermostat.
Speaking of which...You should definitely check and/or replace the
thermostat. It controls the flow to the radiator. Your heater is
effective at reducing the temp because the water to the heater bypasses
the thermostat. If the thermostat is opening OK, and you can't find any
restrictions in the big hoses, then you have to start to suspect that
the radiator may be partly blocked.
good luck,
Larry A.
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