Hi All.
I've searched the forum, the wiki and google and I'm stuck on a couple of questions regarding my van ('86, 1.9, Petrol Wedge).
Firstly: Why do my gears get stiffer and more difficult to engage the longer the trip? When I start off, no problem everything slips in to place with ease. But after half an hour's drive I find myself fighting to find any gear.
Secondly: The coolant level warning light (above the temp gague) comes on when I turn the ignition, goes off for 10 seconds, then comes on again and stays on. The coolant level is fine, but the light won't go away and its driving me MAD.
Thirdly: (and this might be related to the second point above) My temperature gauge won't go above the white block on the left hand side, no matter how long I drive for, unless I'm stopped with the engine running and then it will start to creep up.
I would appreciate any help/advice/suggestions/ any body is able to give.
Ta
Coupla questions from an eejit.
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MurphyX
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Coupla questions from an eejit.
I drink, therefore I am.
Thirdly: (and this might be related to the second point above) My temperature gauge won't go above the white block on the left hand side, no matter how long I drive for, unless I'm stopped with the engine running and then it will start to creep up.
Might be easier to tell us where the needle is... rather than get us running outside to see where this magical white block is...
So, level (is normal), low or above normal ?
ounds liek its running at a steady temperature though, thats the good news.
Check the wiring to the coolant level sender first but both of these faults seem to indicate you might have a printed circuit issue in the dash pod.. dry joints, broken ribbon, that sort of thing. Take the pod off, then being careful look for pcb foil connections going into those instruments... white or green corrosion products on solderered joints are a sign all is not right, or a creased ribbon.
Gearchange - frst thing would be to check the oil level in it and check for leaks around the driveshaft flanges that might indicate it has been losing oil. Is the floow o the cabn getting very hot due to insulation missing underneath, if so, this might mean the gearlever joints under there are cooking - a long shot that one.
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MurphyX
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Might be easier to tell us where the needle is... rather than get us running outside to see where this magical white block is...
Sorry, I thought I explained; the needle doesn't go further than the white area on the left of the temperature gauge. And its not magical ........ as far as I know
Anyway thanks for your reply
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johncelliot
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Re: Coupla questions from an eejit.
MurphyX wrote:
Thirdly: (and this might be related to the second point above) My temperature gauge won't go above the white block on the left hand side, no matter how long I drive for, unless I'm stopped with the engine running and then it will start to creep up.
It sounds like your thermostat is either stuck open or perhaps not even installed (sometimes people leave them out). Quite a cheap and simple job to change the thermostat. If you pull the thermostat out of the engine when it is cold, you can see right away wether it is stuck open or not...
JCE
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kathyshack
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where are you checking the coolant level? behind the reg plate or within the engine bay? Its the one in THE engine bay that has the sensor. Sorry if you think this is a daft comment, but its surprising how many people have made this mistake when looking at my van. (people who are new to vw's that is...)
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MurphyX
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Re: Coupla questions from an eejit.
johncelliot wrote:MurphyX wrote:
Thirdly: (and this might be related to the second point above) My temperature gauge won't go above the white block on the left hand side, no matter how long I drive for, unless I'm stopped with the engine running and then it will start to creep up.
It sounds like your thermostat is either stuck open or perhaps not even installed (sometimes people leave them out). Quite a cheap and simple job to change the thermostat. If you pull the thermostat out of the engine when it is cold, you can see right away wether it is stuck open or not...
JCE
Cheers, I'll check that out.
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MurphyX
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kathyshack wrote:where are you checking the coolant level? behind the reg plate or within the engine bay? Its the one in THE engine bay that has the sensor. Sorry if you think this is a daft comment, but its surprising how many people have made this mistake when looking at my van. (people who are new to vw's that is...)
Hi, no not daft at all (I am afterall an eejit) but I was checking the coolant level in the expansion tank rather than the top up tank.
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