My 91 has the needle sitting one notch up from the cold position. It doesn't
move regardless of the weather. I have no idea of the temp.
darryl
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Marshall" <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 11:32 PM
Subject: Coolant gauge calibration

> In the course of doing my engine conversions I notice that the coolant
> gauge
> is never in the same place when I am done.  The TDIs always read higher in
> the gauge as compared to the wasserboxer would read.  The coolant gauge is
> neat, but it doesn't tell how hot the water really is, it is more or less
> an
> indication of how hot things are and to me, that really isn't good enough!
> :-)
>
> AHU TDI / AAZ TD / ABA 2L [Jetta III]
> Normal temp has the needle above the LED with just enough space to say
> there
> is some space there.  This would be looking at a coolant gauge in a
> tachometer equipped Vanagon.  With VAG-COM [diagnostic tool] I can see
> that
> this level is about 97C and 80C being at the LED or just slightly low on
> the
> LED.
>
> ALH TDI / AWD 1.8T / AEG 2L [Jetta IV]
> These tend to make the gauge read even higher, to the point where the LED
> starts flashing at you, indicating that the temp is too high.  In reality
> VAG-COM reports a nice 97ish Celsius degrees.  Installing a 100 to 150ohm
> resistor brings the needle down to where the LED is and the LED stops
> flashing.
>
> CALIBRATING THE NEEDLE
> To make the needle read lower, all one has to do is insert a resistor
> inline
> with the coolant sender.  The more resistance, the lower it makes the
> needle
> in the gauge.  My questions to the list are:
>
> - Where does your wasserboxer coolant needle 'sit' when driving on a
> normal
> road, normal weather and everything is just 'normal'?
> - What really is the wasserboxer's coolant temperature when you are
> driving
> and everything is normal?
> - Does the needle sit at different places on different years of
> production?
> - At what temperature is the 'too hot' LED supposed to come on at?
>
> Thanks in advance for your answers!
>
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
> 4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
> http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
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