Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, sorry to ask yet another question but I can't seem to find an answer ...

I looked at a t25 yesterday, 1.9 petrol, which ticked all the boxes for what I want. However when I got back I realised that I'd not seen the coolant light flash when the ignition was turned on (i'd not noticed a coolant light at all). I spoke to the seller today who said that he'd not noticed one either, since he's had the van.

Is there anything that would stop it working, such as the LED going bad or an aftermarket gauge? The temperature gauge works and the van doesn't overheat.

Thanks for any help

It may be earthed out ? If it was simply disconnected it would flash all the time. You don't give the age (slapped wrist) but I believe they would all do that.

Ian.

Apologies Ian

It's a 1983. Weird thing is that the gauge seems to work fine.

oddnumber wrote:Apologies Ian

It's a 1983. Weird thing is that the gauge seems to work fine.

They are unrelated You should have the early cooling system, the temp sender is a single terminal jobby (with a red/yellow wire) on the stat housing, the flashing level warning light is powered by the sensor screwed into the header tank.

Ian

Interesting, thanks Ian

So, me being the cynical creature that I am, is it possible the sensor has been disconnected to hide a problem with losing coolant? Or just that it's not working?

oddnumber wrote: So, me being the cynical creature that I am, is it possible the sensor has been disconnected to hide a problem with losing coolant? Or just that it's not working?

Anything's possible. If I were you I would check the 2 wires from the sensor in the header tank, disconnect the plug and the light should flash bridge the 2 together and the light should come on and flash half a dozen times then go out.

Ian

Thanks again Ian, I really appreciate your help.

Is it possible that aftermarket gauges have been fitted at some point? Or just that the LED has gone bad?

30 year old van ... anything's possible

Ian

Just an update ...

I've spoken to the seller who has noticed that when the ignition is on, and hazards are on, the temperature light flashes

Obviously something is amiss here - without being at the van myself it's hard to get to grips with what is what, and the seller is doing his best at that end to see what's happening. Should the temp light on all models flash when the ignition is on?

Ian Hulley wrote: They are unrelated You should have the early cooling system, the temp sender is a single terminal jobby (with a red/yellow wire) on the stat housing, the flashing level warning light is powered by the sensor screwed into the header tank.

Ian

Ian - I'm not sure I agree that they are unrelated. The warning light flashes when the header tank sensor is triggered or when the temp gets too high. Infact the circuit that controls the warning light flashing is part of the Temp Gauge circuit ....... it should flash whenever the Temp Gauge gets power.

Given what you said about the Hazards making the Warning Light work - I'd imagine there is some problem with the grounding of the Dash gauges. (Turning on the Hazards provides a new 'path' to ground somehow)

Thanks midlifecrisis. From what I've been able to read and research the only thing I can think of is a sketchy earth somewhere.

I'm hoping that because the gauge stays at 12 o'clock then there is nothing untoward happening with the cooling system...

Yes - just be careful - if it isn't working 'properly' then you'll probably not know what it is 'actually' doing?

Also, without the flashy light - you won't get a warning if the coolant level in the header tank is low - which could be a serious problem!

MidLifeCrisis wrote:Yes - just be careful - if it isn't working 'properly' then you'll probably not know what it is 'actually' doing?

Also, without the flashy light - you won't get a warning if the coolant level in the header tank is low - which could be a serious problem!

Thanks again. I'll keep an eye on the gauge and if it starts heading North I'll stop

Just had another thought about this - could the wires to the hazards have been connected to the coolant light to mask a problem with losing coolant?