[V8] I'm In! But (surprise,surprise) I've got some questions . . .

[daves745t at optonline.net]

Well Folks it is Official!! What a day. I'm the proud owner of a 'new' 1990 V8Q in Pearl White. I'm going to get right to the heart of it as I was up at 3:30am this morning and I'm beat. But I will provide more about the history of the car tomorrow. Thanks again to all who answered my questions and offered recommendations, advice, etc. It was invaluable.

On the 220 mile drive home I observed the following that I'm hoping the Board can help me with:

1) With the headlights or parking lights on, the dash was completely dark, along with the radio and buttons for the fog lights, rw defroster, ABS (although when you pushed them in the light indicating they were 'on' did light.  They all functioned properly, just no backlighting. Of course the test drives were during the day and this was missed entirely. I broke out the manual and thought it might be a fuse since all of them were out.  Based on the descriptions, I thought it might be #28 (intrument cluster:processer) - it wasn't. BTW, I did find the dimmer switch - I wish it was that easy and I could laugh at myself.

2) the coolant temp needle did not get past a quarter up - is that likely a bad thermostat? or coolant valve stuck open? I'm assuming normal operating temp is at '12 noon', straight up. Correct?

3) the oil temp needle likewise did not get up past about a quarter or less - I checked the oil level, it was fine and I got no other warning lights or sounds. Any thoughts and what should I expect the needle to get to?

4) The oil pressure gauge seemed pinned at 5 (or whatever the last number is) on the highway. Normal? Again, the oil level both before and after the trip was right in the middle, no smoking out the back of any kind.

Thanks and does Bentley make a manual for the V8Q?

-Dave