On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 6:37 PM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> If your VW temp gauge works as far as indicating temps, you can easily add
> the coolant level sensor wiring to make the led flash. Best to put the relay
> in the engine compartment but not critical to do so. The relay needs
> switched +12 power like from the ignition coil, a ground, and a wire from
> the level probes with the other probe wire grounded. Then a wire leaves the
> relay and splices into the single temp gauge wire to trigger the led. Hard
> to be much simpler. Power, ground, signal in, signal out.
>
> Mark
>

I couldn't agree more. Had a rough idea of what was involved but
initially wanted to use my existing temp gauge (aftermarket) and
install a low coolant warning light. I also wanted to keep the
analogue clock. Exchanged some pmails with David B. He directed me to
the right module and gave pointers. I ran a wire from one expansion
bottle probe to front, (the other is grounded) and installed the
coolant low module at dash in place of the wretched door buzzer
position.

Installed cluster. Clock didn't work. Turned key to ign. on, coolant
warning LED would flash. Started engine. Light stayed on. Pretty sure
fuel gauge wasn't rising either. Briefly running engine would not shut
off the LED.

I'll post what I figured out in another email, but likely a poorly
seated voltage stabilizer was the culprit. (I had the cluster totally
apart) After seating the stabilizer, checking it (10.27 volts) and
fixing the clock, I started the engine. LED went off in 5-10 seconds.
Engine running, wire disconnected at expansion bottle, LED flashes
after ~ 5 seconds. Temp gauge started to rise. Fuel gauge works.

Thanks for taking time to explain the wiring!

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines