Yes it would be nice they made it two separate indicators. However there are different indications for the 2.1L Vanagons. Low coolant will just flash the light. Over temp will flash the light and raise the gauge. The flashing light should get your attention and get you take action before the over temp. There are driving conditions where higher temperatures can be normal operation. I get annoyed at over temp conditions from fan failure such as from the switch or speed resistor. 

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of mark drillock
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2014 3:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: My Vanagon's blinking coolant light problem vs other peoples'---it all blends together

The blinking temp gauge light is primarily for a HOT engine warning. The coolant level warning is a secondary feature that was added later on some VW models such as Vanagons. That is where they went wrong IMHO, sharing the same flashing light between 2 warning functions.

The added function relies on an added "relay" connected to the coolant tank level sensor. The "relay" is the only electrical bridge between the coolant tank level sensor and the dash warning light. If one were to simply unplug the "relay" it could help remove any doubt about what was causing the blinking.  If the same blinking still occurs while the bridge is out, the cause can't have even the slightest thing to do with the coolant tank level sensor.

Mark

Jim Felder wrote:
>
> I am having a problem now where on a warm day, I have to shut down my  
>engine after starting and restart to get the blinking light to go off. 
>This  gets worse as it gets colder to the point that in the 30Fs, I 
>might have to  wait a minute or two and restart as many as three times. 
>It always goes  off, though.
>................
> My sensor is clean, my connections are good, my coolant is properly 
>mixed  and fresh and I have pressed the back of the temp gauge while 
>the car is  running and no change. My grounds are good and in fact I 
>have an extra  ground or two.
>
> Any ideas? Come on, help me fix it QUICK while it is the only thing 
> wrong with the car!
>
> Jim
>