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beteljuze Samba Member

Joined: December 16, 2002 Posts: 180 Location: lindenhurst,NY
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:32 am Post subject: Light blinks for what reason? |
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Ok I did a search but I'm not sure I understand. The red blinking light in the temp gauge blinks when the coolant level in the tank is low, correct? So it doesn't have anything to do with the coolant tempature, right? Thats what the gauge is for. So If your engine is getting hot, the needle will move up. If you start the engine and the coolant level is low, the red light will blink, whether the engine is hot or cold, right? |
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BlackDogVan Samba Member

Joined: December 21, 2007 Posts: 855 Location: Vancouver Island
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:48 am Post subject: |
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overheat is solid red, low coolant level is blinky
**oops, sorry about the dis-information!**
Last edited by BlackDogVan on Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member

Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 10398 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, both problems cause a blinking. There is no solid on state for the temp gauge led.
The low coolant control unit relay simulates a hot engine condition to trigger the blinking led. The early version sent a constant hot signal and this made the led blink and also pegged the needle hot. During the 85 model year a different version of the relay was phased in and it sends short 'engine hot' pulses to the temp gauge, enough to make the led blink but not enough to raise the needle very much. The pulses don't create the blinking, they only trigger the led blinking circuit within the gauge itself.
Mark
BlackDogVan wrote: |
overheat is solid red, low coolant level is blinky |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2074 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:05 pm Post subject: blinky |
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Hey: One more thing...the light flashes for a few seconds on start-up. _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52456
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: blinky |
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pioneer1 wrote: |
Hey: One more thing...the light flashes for a few seconds on start-up. |
That is to tell you that the system is activated and the light works. In general all warning lights should come on at start up so you will know if they work or not. |
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240Gordy Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2008 Posts: 2354 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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I seem to remember my dad's bay window doka had a feature where you push and hold the hazard button and all the dash lights would go on. _________________ Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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mmmdiesel Samba Member

Joined: February 18, 2005 Posts: 148 Location: Fort Langley, BC
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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So what does it mean if your coolant level is fine and you get constant blinking on start up, only stopping when you turn off the engine and then no longer blinking when you restart? I'm also getting constant blinking when the engine has been running for a few minutes and temps are reading slightly above half, again stopping when I pull over and re-start? This is with a 1.6td. _________________ 1998 T4 Caravelle 2.5 Tdi
2000 Eurovan Multivan 2.8 VR6
1960's Heilite Single Wheel |
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beteljuze Samba Member

Joined: December 16, 2002 Posts: 180 Location: lindenhurst,NY
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, Yes, thats close to what I'm talking about. I'm looking at a 90 Camper to buy. The owner states sometimes the red light comes on randomly while he is driving. If he shuts off and restarts it goes out. He says it not overheating or getting hot, and it does it only sometimes.
What does this mean?? |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52456
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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These systems get wacky as they age. Connections go bad and parts give out. If you do a search through dozens of post on this subject you will find what others have done. |
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Terry Kay Banned

Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 12:30 am Post subject: |
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Try removing the coolant level sensor, and scrubbing it down with some CLR & an old tooth brush.
They get skuzzy in the expansion tank and will do exactly what your seeing happen. _________________ T.K. |
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Nikkoleto Samba Member

Joined: July 15, 2004 Posts: 333
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:58 am Post subject: coolant |
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What if the coolant warning light blinks as soon as u turn the engine on and the engine is cold? |
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foodeater Samba Member

Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:52 am Post subject: Re: coolant |
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Nikkoleto wrote: |
What if the coolant warning light blinks as soon as u turn the engine on and the engine is cold? |
read the fifth post in this topic. _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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240Gordy Samba Member

Joined: May 15, 2008 Posts: 2354 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:58 am Post subject: Re: coolant |
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foodeater wrote: |
Nikkoleto wrote: |
What if the coolant warning light blinks as soon as u turn the engine on and the engine is cold? |
read the fifth post in this topic. |
or religiously read entire threads before posting. or start reading threads from way back just for fun, it can be fascinating stuff. hours and hours of fun. _________________ Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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randywebb Samba Member

Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: Re: coolant |
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Nikkoleto wrote: |
What if the coolant warning light blinks as soon as u turn the engine on and the engine is cold? |
self-test for the warning system - normal
this is one thing that should be automatically Emailed to people when they join this forum _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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telebiker Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2010 Posts: 16 Location: New Denver, BC
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: coolant |
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randywebb wrote: |
Nikkoleto wrote: |
What if the coolant warning light blinks as soon as u turn the engine on and the engine is cold? |
self-test for the warning system - normal
this is one thing that should be automatically Emailed to people when they join this forum |
Along with the caution to change all the fuel lines! |
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Baxta Samba Member

Joined: November 09, 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Abbotsford, BC
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: coolant |
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telebiker wrote: |
Along with the caution to change all the fuel lines! |
I thought the flashing red light was the reminder to change your fuel lines!  _________________ Greg
'87 Syncro Westy 'Bastian'
2.2l |
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