On Thu, Apr 28, 2011 at 3:59 AM, Angus Gordon <birdworks@gmail.com> wrote:

> Driving my Syncro to the ferry, headed to work, I was activating my
> windshield wipers every minute or so to clear the light rain. About the
> third time the wipers swept my windshield they seemed to be moving very
> slightly slower than normal. Made me suspicious that they might be operating
> off battery voltage, despite the absence of an alternator warning light. At
> the ferry I shut the engine off and turned the ignition back on - sure
> enough no alternator light.
>
> I knew there was value to the Seattle area's frequent rain this spring. My
> windshield wiper speed makes a pretty good voltmeter!
>
> Angus
>
>
   There is another example for the value of  adding real working gauges to
your Vanagons.

 The standard warning lights simply don't always cut it.  If they fail and
don't come properly on, you can do serious damage. (I am thinking Oil and
Coolant temp here)  If they fail and do come on when there are no problems,
you waste a bunch of time and sometimes money worrying about a failed system
or engine problem that doesn't exist.  If you monitor the dash on start up,
you may have confidence that the idiot lights do work, but they can fail
after the motor is running and you are driving along...and you will not
know.  Gauges work.  even when they are broken. If you see no needle
movement, you know right away you have problems with the gauge...
Don Hanson