Let it idle till warm  then check the coolant tank, inside the van under
the hatch not the overflow visible thru the license plate, check for
bubbling or steaming coolant usually around a hairline crack invisible
to the naked eye.  May also be the coolant sensor and or seal which
screws into the tank.
I replaced all with parts from the bus depot when I found this same
problem on my 87.

Not a bad time to check your coolant hoses either, the metal ones coming
off the water pump tend to rust thru and leak, the rubber ones rot and
blow apart. BTDT

good luck with your search, definately should be fixed tho, wasserboxers
need coolant.

mike
87 westy

BTW I think I still have a pic of the coolant hoses from VW's microfiche
I could send you, or it may be up on Darrell Boehler's web site

Byron MacIntyre wrote:
>
> The coolant light on my is possessed, it flashes inconsistently,
> some days it flashes constantly, other it turns off as soon
> as the engine runs for a few minutes, other days it doesn't
> come on.  The heads were recently redone and I've had
> it back to the mechanic who assures me that the coolant levels etc.
> are fine and it is operating fine,  any suggestions?
>
> Byron MacIntyre