This is getting more common all the time. The next time the light starts
blinking when you think it shouldn't, take the cover off the fuse panel
and pull the "43" relay from socket 3, in 86-91 models only. (sometimes
it's a "42") Do this with the engine still running and while the
blinking is happening. If the light stops blinking after a few seconds
then the problem is with the coolant level part of the circuit. If the
light keeps blinking steadily long after the relay is pulled, the fault
MUST be in the dash area.

There is a known problem with the temp gauge itself that an internal
capacitor sometimes gets weak with age and causes the blinking. There
are other causes.

Mark

Joel Cort wrote:
> Guys,
>
> I am at my wits end with this.
> On an 87 Westy with an automatic, and 81K.  The engine is tight and none of the hoses leak coolant.  The coolant level is perfect.  I am having problems figuring out what to fix or replace to make the frigin flashing coolant light stop.
>
> This is intermittent.  You start the van and it goes off after a few blinkies and other times it will continue to blink for a long long time.
>
> The coolant tank is full, brand new, with a new cap and a new sender and good blue VW approved coolant.
>
> The engine is not running hot and the temp needle runs right in the middle covering the stoopid idiot light.
>
> I have played with the wires on the coolant sender and they are nice and clean and not frayed.  I have put some dielectric grease to keep the contacts lubed.
> I have looked at the connector on the dash that connects to the blue foil and all contacts there appear fine.
>
> Lastly I tightened the 7mm nuts on the back of the gages that connect to the blue foil on the instrument panel thinking that their looseness was causing a faulty connection.  I was sure that was the problem.
>
> All was well.... and it reoccurs.  The blinks the twilight zone.   AAAHrgg!  Help.  What and where can I look to remedy this intermittent gremlin.
>
> Thanks
> Joel in Rochester.
> 89 Syncro Westy
> 87 blinker
>
>
>
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