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42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? [Solved]
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levi
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 3:03 pm    Post subject: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? [Solved] Reply with quote

Trying to chase down the cause of my constant blinking led.

In the past this has occasionally occurred, and after restarting it would go back to normal operation, normal being to blink at startup and then off, staying off.

So, there's a coolant level controller, #42 or 43 that I replaced on my 86 which fixed that. Thought I'd try the same on my 85.

Dropping my fuse panel I expected to see a 42 or 43 under there, but no.

From left to right I think I have a headlight relay, an unused spot, a 24 relay, a seat belt warning relay, and a wiper relay.

Is there a different location for these on the 85?
The search is not strong with me today. Rolling Eyes

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crazyvwvanman
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:41 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

There are 2 "hidden" relays in your year, one for the coolant level warning unit and one for the rad fan high speed.
They are together up and to the left of the fuse panel. Hard to see, but there.
The rad fan relay has power even with key off so be careful there.

Mark
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levi
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 5:23 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

Aha!
I see them now.
I believe I'll just disconnect the battery first, good to know that.
Thanks Mark
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leecat
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:33 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

This is as much a rant on this subject as anything. 1985 cooling system.

- I have continuity from the sender right to the main gauge cluster plug, via the '43' relay (yellow/red wiring).

- The factory sender works fine with the 2nd aftermarket VDO water temp gauge, so the sender is good.

- I have power to 15 on the '43' relay, and verified ground from 31

- I have normal blinking coolant 'check' light at 'key on'

- I have continuity from low level sender to '43' relay via blue/green wire

- The coolant gauge worked perfectly before the engine swap

Now NOTHING on the gauge. Dead as a doornail - driving me insane! Time to spend some hours digging through every last cooling thread. :/
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crazyvwvanman
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:47 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

Pull the wire from the temp sender.
With the key ON, measure the voltage on that wire with the other probe on bare metal of the Van body.
What voltage do you get?

If 10 volts, have someone watch the temp gauge while you briefly touch that wire to bare metal.
The gauge led should immediately start blinking and the needle should shoot to the hot end of the range.

Mark
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ALIKA T3
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:48 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

leecat wrote:
This is as much a rant on this subject as anything. 1985 cooling system.

- I have continuity from the sender right to the main gauge cluster plug, via the '43' relay (yellow/red wiring).

- The factory sender works fine with the 2nd aftermarket VDO water temp gauge, so the sender is good.

- I have power to 15 on the '43' relay, and verified ground from 31

- I have normal blinking coolant 'check' light at 'key on'

- I have continuity from low level sender to '43' relay via blue/green wire

- The coolant gauge worked perfectly before the engine swap

Now NOTHING on the gauge. Dead as a doornail - driving me insane! Time to spend some hours digging through every last cooling thread. :/


Besides reading about your issue, we can't help you... what swap did you do?
What is your problem, no temp gauge reading?
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leecat
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:43 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? Reply with quote

Hi Alika and Crazyvwvanman! Solved it! Thanks for checking in - it was mostly a rant - not much anyone can do remotely when I am the hands-on troubleshooting guy. Smile

'85 WBX swap into an '81 air-cooled chassis - actually super fun and easy but of course it's always the last bit of devil in the details that gets ya.

Turned out it was the #6 pin (coolant) on the 14-pin gauge cluster that was just the tiniest bit too low and wasn't making contact with the PCB protrusion on the cluster. The clue was that I could pin the aftermarket VDO temp gauge by grounding the sensor wire, but I could not pin the factory gauge. Seeing as I knew my wire continuity was good, it could only be a connection issue right at the cluster.

Fixed it with the world's tiniest screwdriver by bending the teeny tabs on #6 connector just *slightly* upward.

Wasted most of the day chasing imaginary gremlins through the coolant low temp warning unit - but glad it's fixed!
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ALIKA T3
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:27 pm    Post subject: Re: 42/43 coolant level control unit on a 1985? [Solved] Reply with quote

Good news Cool
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