Hello to everyone again!

After being without my 86 for several months I broke down and I bought
another Vanagon!  This one is an 88 GL. Man, I just can't seem to stay away
from these things!  My 4 year old daughter is celebrating too. There's just
something about a BUS...
Anyway, this Van has some electrical issues. The main issue is the lack of
temp gauge. Let me give some details Apparently, there is a short (told to me
by the PO) in the wiring that causes the gauge to peg as soon as the van is
turned on. The PO said he was starting to bypass this (???!!!!!) but never
finished. I MUST have a working temp gauge. What would you folks advise me to
do here?  Also, how is this wiring run and what is in line? Are their fuses
outside the box, etc? The orig plug at the temp sensor is damaged too. It
fell onto the exhaust and melted.
Another important aspect is the A/C. The PO said the A/C stopped working
despite being fully charged. He said someone jumped the A/C low pressure
switch and it came on. He was told that it is possibly the low pressure
switch. Hmm, I'm wondering if this is what the creative electrical work was
in my old 86 van's A/C wiring? Do people bypass this switch a lot? Is it safe
and or recommended? Again, my goal is to have a cheap, reliable driver to
enjoy but I also want a safe vehicle. You folks are the most knowledgeable
and quickest responding techies on the web. I would appreciate any tips via
e-mail. Please put VANAGON in the title so I don't delete you! LOL!
Thanks!
Dave
88 GL
PS If any of you are well versed in 94 Jettas I have another question. What
would make the car shut off whenever the car is given full throttle very
quickly? I can accelerate and then floor it but I cannot floor it from the
get go. If I do, it shuts off. Sometimes the check engine light comes on
after I restart but then it goes away! Any ideas??