the more I drive this car, the more I think it has some electrical gremlins. I was driving down the highway yesterday, cruising at about 65, when I noticed that the oil temp gauge(the led-type thing next to the diff lock switch) was pegged in the red at 170. And the voltmeter was reading about 8 volts. Then, right before my eyes, the oil temp dropped into the green just below 130, and the voltmeter bumped back up to about 13V. Is this a common issue with these control panels? Or is it a sensor/wiring issue?

unless you are having oiltemp problems.

Which is why I asked. I figured it was some sort of electrical issue...damn old Volkswagens. :) It's no big deal, I still have the alternator from the '85 sitting around.

I thought about that, and I checked the belts when I got home, they appeared fine. They're all new as of a month or so ago.

voltage regulator was bad. A replacement cured the problem.

J.

it is probably some simple as a bad ground. I would pull the panel out and check the wires. If its the oil temp getting that hot then you'll notice it when the car is running. Oil thins out and you'll the valves and lifters knock. But overall, its sound like the voltage regulator to me.