John,
If there are no other signs of overheating, it sounds to me like the problem
is either the coolant level sensor or the coolant temp sensor or the wiring
to/from the coolant temp sensor.
Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 5:13 PM
Subject: Cooling System Weirdness

> I have the dread flashing red LED syndrome.....you know...the one in the
> temperature indicator gage on the instrument panel. You knoww....the
> coolant level sensor indicator light..
>
> I was tooling down Interstate 65 heading South from Birmingham, AL to
> attend a party in honor my neice who received her PhD in Pharmacology
> this Friday past.
>
> All of a sudden I realize the red light is blinking....startled me! Then
> I realized the temperature needle was only 1/2 needle width off the
> "Cold!" peg. And this on a day of temperatures in the '90's. Spooked me.
> I turned on the heat to see if I was getting water up front and I got
> plenty of heat. As a matter of fact the needle moved towards an even
> colder setting.
>
> I have a pretty good understanding of how the system is supposed to
> work, but I never saw this before. That light blinking really worries
> me. The sensor is relatively new as is the coolant. Coolant is topped
> up, and no apparent air bubbles.
>
> My engine blew up on me last fall, and because of the type of failure, I
> am really gun-shy about overheating., low oil, lean mixture conditions,
> etc.
>
> Anyone on the list have any clues? Would appreciate hearing from you.
>
> BTW, I also learned the hard way last year that if you are going in a
> fairly tight right hand turn for a time, as in on an entry or exit ramp,
> and you get a white smoke behind you.......#3 cylinder is likely about
> to fail. Have a compression check.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Rodgers
> "88 GL Driver
>