RE: Flashing red light and no apparent coolant system cause, e.g., boiling,
steaming, fan-running, etc., look to see if the fuel gauge, the clock, and/or
the coolant gauge are erratic, or erroneous---- BEFORE you see the dealer. If
they are, check the "voltage stabilizer" on the windshield side of the dash
panel, under the removable hood..  It is mounted next to the clock on my 84
Westfalia.  It should test 9.5 to 10.5 volts while the ignition is turned on.
If it ranges above or below those numbers, it is faulty.  (Bentley 90.4 Figure
2, "Voltage Stabilizer.")  The part is about $12.00 at VW dealer, and the parts
man as local dealer says it is common to VW products.  Mine failed, and thanks
to dagbear and Noto-Gaudette, my problem was solved by replacing the
stabilizer,  The main symptoms in my case were the flashing red light, "slow"
clock, and the coolant level/temperature off the scale and no apparent coolant
temperature range excess.  Before replacing the voltage stabilizer, I checked
the thermostat, flushed and changed the coolant (which the van needed), and, in
general, hassled unnecessarily.

I posted, recently, this information.  See the Archives.

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
1984 Westfalia

Todd Last wrote:

> Page 37 of the 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon and Transporter Owner's manual:
>
> WARNING LIGHT
>
> For a bulb check the red light in the coolant temperature gauge will flash
> for about 3 seconds when the ignition is turned on.
>
> If the light flashes while driving, the engine may be overheated because of
> low coolant level or V-belt damage.
> Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop the engine and depress
> the emergency flasher switch.
>
> The fan should be operating when the warning light is on (listen for fan,
> located in front of the car behind grille.)
>
> If a visual check shows that the coolant level and V-belt are normal, but
> the warning light continues to flash,
> contact your nearest dealer to have the cause located and corrected.
>
> Todd
> '88 Westy