Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 18:12:07 -0700
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Is John right about the temp gauge
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
John is right, but only for 83,84, and some 85 Vanagons. During 85 VW
switched to a new "coolant level sensor control unit" RELAY. The new
type does not peg the needle on hot when the coolant is low, it only
blinks the LED and the needle continues to indicate actual engine temp.
Earlier models do both and can cause many tense moments as a result.
Both versions can be used in any 83 or newer watercooled Vanagon or
Syncro. Water cooled Vanagons prior to 83 do not have a coolant level
warning system at all. In 83 they implemented the sensor in the main
tank and put the control unit for it in a nice hiding place just below
the far left end of the dash. Very hard to find. In 86 they mounted it
in the main relay panel where anyone can get to it. The "relay" has a
large number "43" stamped on the top. Both versions have this "43" on
them. The early version is a little taller. They have different part
numbers but can be used interchangeably with different behaviors as
noted. I have written about this many times over the years so the
archives will contain addition info regarding the differences and the
part numbers.
Keep in mind that someone may have already changed the "43" relay so any
year can have either type at this point.
Mark
gary hradek wrote:
>
> John,
> Perhaps there a few machines that are wired this
> way but it makes no sense. In any case it can easily
> be tested by everyone by pulling the wires to the
> coolant sensor. My 87 clearly has the coolant sensor
> unrelated to the temperature sensor when the coolant
> level is low in the tank. The temperature gauge
> reads the temperature of the sensor at the thermostat.
> If the coolant is hot it reads hot until all the
> coolant is gone and then the gauge begins to drop
> because there is no hot coolant in contact with the
> sensor. I think we need to reconsider what is being
> suggested. gary
> Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 00:29:09 -0400
> From: lauterba <lauterba@BELLSOUTH.NET>
> Subject: Re: Overheating problem
>
> Jack, please note that when coolant sensor thinks
> there is low coolant,
> the
> temp gauge goes to H even though the engine may be at
> or even below
> normal
> operating temperature.
>
> John
> Macon, GA
> '84 7-passenger
>
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