First you need to find out if it's really running that cold, or if the gauge
is just reading low or not working.
You did say the heater works well - so maybe it is running warmly enough. 
Easiest way to find out temps very quickly and completely non-intrusively is
with an infrared temp gun - so many uses you gotta have one.
Check the main hoses coming off the engine, you'd like to see 180  - 190 or
so warmed up .
If I am wondering if the temp gage is working, I just jumper the two wires
together -  undo them from the *gauge* sensor, not the ECU one, jumper them
together, turn on the key, and see if the temp gauge pegs.    If it does,
it's workin.' 
Scott
turbovans

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David M
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 8:15 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Changed thermostat - temp gauge still reads stone cold

I went on the first extended test drive today after
replacing my thermostat. The temperature gauge still
does not move above the lowest thick bar. If anything,
it's worse than it was before. Is it possible the
replacement thermostat was bad (it was a brand new
Behr)? Or, is it possible there is some other problem?
The van drives well and puts out lots of heat from the
vents. The fan is not running. I hate to think I'm
damaging the engine.

David ('87 Wolfsburg 2.1 auto)

 
____________________________________________________________________________
________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs