Not sure my gauges are wired-up right

[the edmundator]

This refers to an 82 GTI with the early dash, having the coolant temp and fuel gauges within the rev counter, and an econo-gauge at the top above the warning lamp cluster.

My coolant temp light has started flashing, but I don't believe the engine is running hot, nor is it low on coolant. The coolant gauge itself goes no higher than the middle of the gauge, and oil temp hits a max of 95 degrees. I don't think this light is used to indicate any other events.

Coincidentally, I left my lights on all day on Sunday and flattened the battery. As part of the routine RAC checks, the chap demonstrated my alternator only charging at 12V, so it is probably duff.

I wonder if my battery light ought to be coming on, but an earth or wiring problem is causing the wrong light to come on.

The other thing to note is that the gearchange indicator light doesn't illuminate, although the swingometer functions normally.

To start with, can someone give me the normal light sequence on the dash when the ignition is turned on. This might help me to establish whether the right lights are coming on for the right things.

[bensspares]

hi ed,

from memory,collant warning led should flash for aprox 3/4 secs,them go out.oil light should flash at a regular once a second type thing then go out after starting.
this senario rings a vague bell as in something to do with the voltage regulator in the alt.some times the alt warning light glowes alittle as the alt starts to slowly fail,run it with dash lights off when dark to see this.

oil temp and yellow led not working correctly sounds like an earth fault somewhere amist the alt problem.

sorry i am alittle vague but its been a long time since i owned an early gti/gtx as my memories are mainly of the post 84/85 stuff.anyway it might help you.

regards ben

[Nate]

low cooland lever or duff sender?

[ianaudia4]

Ed, check the vacumn pipes that go into the inlet manifold ref the gear change light, the one on my Storm didn't work until I fitted a new one!

[1lazza]

Groan...

The connections to the alternator had been a problem in the past - I suggest you start there. Hopefully they just need cleaning and checking they're tight. If any of them have been arcing it will degrade the quality of the connection. I think the previous owner had changed the Unit as it was a Lucas and I think VW's of that era came with Bosch or Hella as standard. Hence the slightly bodged individual spade connectors instead of a multiple one - the Bosch Hella setup is an upside down version of the Lucas one. Good luck Ed.

[MikeH]

Coolant level senders in the header tanks are a bit flaky. That's probably your problem, as Nate suggests.

[the edmundator]

Thanks for the replies, I'll look into getting a new sender.

I'm not entirely convinved there's a big problem with the alternator or the battery, as I've used the car for two days since recharging the battery with no signs of it going flat. In the past I've been able to leave the car in the garage for two or three weeks and still start it up. I suspect givin the alternator connections a good going-over, as Laurence suggests, should improve the charging.

[MikeH]

Can't hurt... check that the blue 'exciter' wire is connected (the connection is over near the battery IIRC).