Many vanagon owners have reported erroneous readings from their
temperature gauges.  Several possibilites for high readings are: bad
voltage regulator at back of inst cluster, bad ground somewhere, bad
sensor, and finally an out of spec sensor.  Apparently VW changed the
specs on the coolant temp sensor and if you replace your sensor with a
current one it is likely your gauge will read high!  For details about
this troubling observation read the archives for a post from Ben Huot on
the subject.

In short the vanagon temp sensor system is piece of shit and should not be
trusted except as a relative warning system that something may be wrong.
The only way to find out how hot your van is really running is to use an
Infrared thermometer available at radio shack for $50 which allows you to
point at any object and "take its temperature".  Your mechanic has
probably used one of these and determined that your van is running fine.
Like myself and many others you probably replaced all those overpriced
parts for nothing.  Maybe the rich fat cat capitalist pigs at VW planned
this so people would spend lots of money buying overpriced replacement
parts (just kidding).

Andrew Fox
86 Westy (may soon to be a fordfalia because of shit like this)

On Fri, 6 Sep 2002, Bergin, Richard wrote:

> The mechanic tells me the engine water temperature is OK and believes
> the problem is in the gauge.  I am not sure I agree as the gauge stayed
> just to the left of the warning light with original engine and only
> moved to the center position or partially to the right in traffic on a
> hot day over 85 degrees
>
> We have replaced the sensors, ballast, fan switch, fan, all hoses and
> radiator.  Both fan speeds are working.  The AFM is set at factory spec
> and may be little rich as mileage is down to 15-16mpg from 19-20 with
> the original engine.
>
>
> Other than a gauge that may have gone bad when the engine was replace.  Any other ideas?
>
>
> Thank you and responses would be much appreciated.
>
>
> Take Care
>