Over temp warning light flashing when engine is cold

[Craig j]

Hi there my girlfriend was leaving work 2 days ago, she was driving for about a minute then the red warning light on the temp gauge started to flash and beep 3 times even though the gauge was still sitting at the bottom (cold), she then pulled over and turned the ignition off then back on and it went out. Any ideas could it be a sticky stat or sommit?

 

[traumapat]

have a search mate. loads of info on this

 

[Craig j]

Did a search doesnt come up with anything to do with my issue, the car isnt overheating its just the light randomly comes on as soon as the engine has started its only done it twice.

 

[AwesomeSarah]

Could be the coolant temp sensor
It can read that the engine is too hot as it is missreading
Sarah

 

[andycupra]

this it the coolant level sensor in the expansion tank.

it beeps 3 times right? (sorry you said that)

i bet if you turn the ignition off/on after a few miles its fine.
only on cold days?

few options for you in order id try them:
1 if the coolant level is towards the bottom of the correct range, top it up a bit (not a fix as such but can reduce incidence of beeping)
2 scrape the sensor prongs in the coolant, (they often get a build up of scaling)
3 replace the expansion tank. (as sensor is built in). However there has not been any update to the design and so this doesnt guarantee it wont happend again in 12/24 months time.

the light is on the temperature gauge but is not refering to the temperature but the coolant level if its beeping 3 times.

 

[Gnollins]

Hi there my girlfriend was leaving work 2 days ago, she was driving for about a minute then the red warning light on the temp gauge started to flash and beep 3 times even though the gauge was still sitting at the bottom (cold), she then pulled over and turned the ignition off then back on and it went out. Any ideas could it be a sticky stat or sommit?

This is a common problem mate - it's the sensor in the coolant tank.

Fix: Take the lid off the coolant tank when COLD and use a flat-blade screw driver to scrape the two prongs that connect to the sensor. They accumulate some gunk that makes them mis-read and cause the warning light to come on. I had a this a few weeks ago and it's now fixed.

Or you could get the coolant tank replaced at a dealer, it's a fairly cheap fix.

 

[Craig j]

Yep the light comes and it beeps 3 times and funny enough it is on cold nights when she leaves work and when you turn the ignition off and back on again it resets. The temp gauge when warm never goes above 90 (the middle). It only ever does it to her lol

 

[Craig j]

Il give that a shot tonight rather try cleaning it first than getting a new tank, thanks for the advice mate.

Regrds

 

[andycupra]

she must be cold blooded and agrivates the issue

the coolant level is often slightly lower when very cold and seems to effect the sensor also.
If its under warranty it can be replaced, but it will most likely happen again.

My advice would be clean prongs and top up coolant. Only replace tank/sensor if its keep happening after this.

 

[Craig j]

Yeah your prob right lol

I think il just go for cleaning it, Atleast i know now whats causing it. Thanks very much for the advice.

 

[AwesomeSarah]

:blush:
Ooops yes or the sensor in the expansion tank Doh!!!!
Sarah

 

[Teasy]

Mine does exactly the same!!! - I'll scrape/clean the sensors as described.

I thought it might have been something major

 

[Gnollins]

Il give that a shot tonight rather try cleaning it first than getting a new tank, thanks for the advice mate.

Regrds

No probs, there was a thread on this a couple of weeks ago, that's where I got the prong-scraping tip from!

 

[Craig j]

Oh well atlest when a search is carried out from now on a prop thread description name will come up. lol

 

[Romeoisgraham]

I had this twice this week....... last night i topped the fluid up and scrapped the two sensors and all is fine so far.

 

[Number86]

Excuse the ignorance, but what coolant fluid should I be using?

 

[traumapat]

lc handbook says G12 A8D or spec TL-VW 774 D . you can buy a top up bottle. got mine from a vw dealer

 

[Teasy]

I rang local steeler & booked it in as its still under warranty & she told me that this isnt covered as its mechanical!!!!

I cant wait to see her

 

[Teasy]

.......as she said theyve never had that problem with Leons before - I can smell the bulls**t from here!!!

 

[Number86]

Tell her to suck your DEE.

Then tell her she can ring half the people on this forum and ask them if it's not a problem on the leons.

Stupid bint.