Thanks Dennis.  I'll take a better look at the bottle to make sure it is
really full when cold.
Edward

On Mon, Nov 12, 2018 at 10:11 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> This circuit is a bit finicky both on the sensor end and the connection
> between the level control module and the gauge. Apparently this circuit
> involves some pulse or frequency magic for the later gauges that try to
> keep the gauge working instead of just pegging it.
>
> Since this is more prevalent in colder weather you need to pay attention
> to coolant level and possible air/combustion gases in the system. After
> start up on a cold engine if there is space in the system the coolant will
> suck out of the bottle, fill that space, and cause the low coolant level to
> activate. Once activated it will normally take a key cycle to reset it. Now
> even letting the engine come down to idle or if your turn it off the
> coolant will refill the bottle after the pump slows or stops. You check and
> it looks full. Now from this short run the coolant will expand some and
> maybe after the restart the level will stay high enough to keep the light
> off.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Edward Maglott
> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2018 8:43 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: ye olde blinking coolant level warning light
>
> I am thinking this is the capacitor in the gauge.  here are the symptoms:
>
> -coolant tank is full.
> -light blinks intermittently.
> -seems to do this less often when the ambient temp in the van is warmer.
> -sometimes turning off the key and turning it back on will correct the
> problem.
> -sometimes turning the key to on, the light will stop flashing after a few
> second, other times not.  when it does stop, if you start the van it will
> stay off.  when it doesn't stop, if you start the van, it sometimes will
> turn off, other times not.
>
> What do you think David Beierl and other vanagon electrics experts?
>
> Thanks,
> Edward
>