[Vwdiesel] 93 EuroVan temp gauge haywire

[Rolf Pechukas]

hey all
temp gauge misbehaving
blinking red light most of the time - needle usually at zero but  
occasionally revs all the way up to superhot, then falls back down to  
zero again

coolant is topped up, things seem to be running at normal temps
I think water pump is fine (no sound to the contrary)

I noticed the temp gauge acting up after I had to pop-start my van a  
couple times last week
connected?

any thoughts on what's wrong/how to fix?

thanks
-- 

Rolf in MA