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1987 Volkswagen vanagon 2.1 L

Trans:         Standard
Mileage:       122,000 miles
VIN:           WV2ZBO25OHH013498

Affected Item: temperture gauge
Condition:     reads high

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Hi everybody.

This van originally came to us with the complaint that at
an extended idle the temperture gauge would go up to the
hot line. The heads had been replaced by the dealer about a
year ago, but since the owner does not drive the van much
he could not say if the problem had started after the head
work. We found the radiator fan was not coming on. After
replacing the fan switch and bleeding the system as per
Alldata procedures, the fan cycled normally and the engine
runs between 200'F and 207'F, [as measured with an infrared
tester at the left head]. After several test drives we
noticed the temp. gauge was eratic, so we replced the temp.
sender and the reservoir pressure cap. All seemed to be
working great. Now two months and 400 miles later the van
is back. After idling for 30 minutes the gauge was at 2/3
scale. When the head lights are switched on the red light
on the temp. gauges immediatly began to flash and the gauge
went up to the hot line within a minute. When the lights
were turned off the gauge went back down. The second time
the headlights were turned on the gauge and light remained
normal. We were able to get the problem to repeat several
times. I cleaned and tighted the grounds at the, battery
negitive cable to body, transmission to body, and body to
left head. This made no improvment. I can't help but think
it is a ground problem but these are the only grounds I
have found without tearing things apart. Iam hoping some of
you can point me in the direction of more key chassis
grounds, [especially the headlight ground, or give me some
thoughts on what this could be besides a ground problem.
Thanks.

Sorry for the long post.

Jon Higgins
jhiggins@telebyte.com
Technician
Hansville Repair
Hansville, Washington, USA

RELATED REPAIR HISTORY

New heads one year ago. New fan switch, reservoir pressure
cap, and temperture sender.

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