coolant light - check it works! IMPORTANT!

[Worms]

>

Just thought I'd post a quick note regarding the Vanagon coolant light.


You should check the coolant light functions at each oil service - disconnect the sensor and check it sets the light blinking.

Just because it blinks when you switch on the ignition, DOES NOT mean it will go off if you suddenly lose coolant!



It may be faulty, and you wouldn't know!

More details:

Most people post about how the light blinks all the time, or when it shouldn't or whatever.

I had a light that would NOT blink, even when the coolant was low, or the sensor was unplugged! The ONLY time it would blink was when I first turned on the ignition.

What I have found, was that last time the coolant level sensor was replaced, some coolant got inside the terminal connector. This seems obvious... the coolant would short the wires in the same way as the sensor works in the coolant bottle.

The thing is, the sensor was repaired on a trip SIX MONTHS AGO. The water had evaporated, and left the glycol behind - this was enough to short the sensor wires, stopping the light from coming on with low coolant. There did not appear to be any glycol there, but I removed the terminals, and they felt sticky! I soldered the wires for peace of mind, and could smell burning glycol. I washed the terminals in water, as well as the connector block. I dried them thoroughly and reassembled - light works perfectly now!

I think most people will assume that if the light blinks at startup, that the system is functioning - this is NOT the case - it ONLY tests the light functionality!

Cheers,

Allan