had a similar problem on my '90 Westy. The gauge had been staying around the center,
over the LED, unless under heavy load. Then a year or so ago, it started appearing
below the LED, usually halfway, but would move up under heavy load. A new t-stat fixed
everything. Now stays dead on the LED, except, of course, when under load.
Jerry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Loren Busch" <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 6:38 PM
Subject: Talking About Thermostats...

> Question for the group about thermostats and temp and temperature gauge.
> Assumtion here:  Not all temp gauges show the same range on the dial.  Also
> I'm looking at a temp gauge in a '90 GL body, with tach.
> Okay, given that.  Now, what should I expect to see on the gauge under
> different conditions?  My temp gauge, under highway conditions that are
> putting on a load like climbing a mountain pass, NEVER goes past a certain
> point, actually just above the center of the LED.  As the systems heats up
> the needle gets to that point, fan comes on and under extreme conditions the
> fan will go into 'propeller mode'.
> But here is what I have a question about.  In cold weather, generally 60 F
> or below, the needle on the temp gauge, under normal driving conditions even
> on the highway, will stay well below the LED and in 40 F weather way below.
> Logically I would expect the thermostat to open and close to control the
> cooling to hold the engine temp at a steady temperature.  But, assuming my
> temp gauge is accurate that's not what I'm seeing.
> So, what do others see, is what I'm seeing normal, or should I be putting in
> a new thermostat?
> BTW,  my rig has been this way for the seven plus years I've owned it.
>
>
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