my '84 had the full hot/flashing LED problem, here is what I did.

I went to the vanagon.com archives
http://gerry.vanagon.com/archives/vanagon.html and did a search for
'flashing red light' (the archives search fast now!). Found a couple
of good ones, found and pulled the "42 or 43" relay (the low level relay).
On my '84 it was up under the dash on the left side. I pulled the
fuse box and saw it then pulled the instrument cluster to get to it.
With the relay out no more blinking light all the time and the temp
gauge still works.
My relay was a '43' and the red LED still tests good on start up.

Rob
becida@comcast.net

At  12/15/2009 11:38 AM, Melissa Mourkas wrote:
>My temp gauge was inaccurate/ inoperable when I bought my '84.  My
>mechanic measured actual head temps and installed a resistor (where? I
>don't know) to provide an accurate temperature reading on the gauge
>reflecting the actual temp.  That's all I know but it makes sense to
>me and it's been working fine.
>
>On Dec 15, 2009, at 11:15 AM, walkingboss wrote:
>
>>Change mechanic, its electrical. Common problem with the printed
>>circuit to
>>the gauge/control unit. Search the archives
>>
>>Howard
>>
>>
>>New thermostat, temp sensors, water pump, radiator and fresh fill of
>>coolant have NOT solved it. The mechanic who is doing the work for me
>>now says he thinks a head gasket job is in order. Does this make
>>sense?