The coolant temp gauge system in the Vanagon is crap.  To make matters
worse if you go to the dealer and ask for a replacement coolant temp
sensor they will give you one that makes the gauge read high because they
changed the specs some time ago (another reason they are bastards).  They
won't tell you this when you buy the part.  Use the temp gauge only as a
relative indicator.  If you are unsure if you are running too hot or cold
buy a $50 infrared touchless thermometer from radio shack to "calibrate"
your temp gauge.

Andrew Fox
86 Westy "The Log"

On Mon, 7 Apr 2003, Mike Collum wrote:

> <snip> I've noticed the temp gauge is really sensitive to corrosion on
> the connectors, too -- corrosion makes it read low. <snip>
>
> On my '84 (with big clock), after cleaning all the connections, grounds,
> etc. my gauge went from just below the LED (cool side) to just above the
> LED at normal temperature.  This was quite some time ago.
>
> My '85 (with tach), normal is showing on the cool side about a needle's
> width from the edge of the "Cold" mark.
>
> Mike
> '84 GL 7 pass
> '85 GL Westy
>