Flashing coolant warning temp light issue when starting... thoughts?
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Flashing coolant warning temp light issue when starting... thoughts?
Yesterday it was around freezing when I started the TT and the coolant temp warning light in the center cluster started flashing, after I got an original "OK". (The temperature gauge was normal throughout this episode though.) After the car warmed up a bit, all went back to normal. I've had this problem from time to time when starting the car in the winter months. The dealer looked at it last season and told me all was "fine and normal". They added a bit of fluid as they felt it may have been near the lower limit which may have triggered the sensor. (In the past, the fluid levels have been fine to my eye and after the car warms up, it goes away.) Today, when it was 15 degrees colder than it was yesterday, there was no such issue upon starting. I've always chalked this up to a cold start quirk but as it was colder today, why wouldn't this be an issue yet again? I've checked to make sure I have the green sensor as well..... anyone experience the same issue? Is it just a quirk of the 1.8T as I've seen posted? I'm soon to change my timing belt and using the metal bladed water pump, will that help out in anyway (are they even associated)? Thanks!!
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Noblesville, Indiana
Same thing happens here - same dealer response.
On cold startup, I'll get the annoying warning (every now and then). I run the car for about a minute, turn off the car then restart and the warning goes away. I think it's a known issue. Not sure of resolution though. I've changed out the sensor (to green) and added fluid as well.
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Re: Flashing coolant warning temp light issue when starting... thoughts?
Don't worry about it.
What's happening is when the temperature drops, the coolant contracts. If your coolant level is anywhere near the "MIN" mark, cold temps will trigger the alarm.
To fix, add proper coolant mixture to a higher level. I did, and it stopped the issue, even at -15F
What's happening is when the temperature drops, the coolant contracts. If your coolant level is anywhere near the "MIN" mark, cold temps will trigger the alarm.
To fix, add proper coolant mixture to a higher level. I did, and it stopped the issue, even at -15F
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Joined: May 2004
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make sure you have plenty of fluid...
mine did this and I was about 8oz low on coolant. just put some distilled water in and all was well. I have heard that the sensor in the coolant tank gets corroded and needs to be cleaned up, but I don't know much beyond that.
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There's an issue with the sensor in the overflow tank....
that will cause this at low temps. The fix is to either try to clean the sensor or get a new overflow tank (the sensor is part of the tank). I've got to run but if you do some searches you should turn up some info. I know there is a more detailed description of the problem and fix on vwvortex but I've got to head out to work now.
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when i start the car, the temp gauge flashes on the cluster, then after a few starts runs alright...
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