Blue Light Keeps Flashing!!

[heatherm]

So I have owned my beetle for a week now and now I start to notice that my blue coolant light keeps flashing at me everyone so often more then before. Does this mean it needs to be replaced or what? It does it for a few seconds then goes off then comes back on later. Nothing serious or should I be concerend??? Thanks everyone!

[Beetlemania]

Most likely a bad temp sensor. My service writer said I should replace mine myself to avoid the $140 installation fee.

I think there's a how-to around here somewhere.

Basically you'd need to make sure the engine has cooled off for a few hours, make sure you have a new O-ring seal for the new sensor, release the pressure in the coolant line by opening the cap on the reservoir, then replace the cap. It's just a little metal clip that holds the sensor on (it's under the engine cover) and then make sure you get the old seal out!

As long as you've let it cool for a couple of hours and you remember to relieve the system pressure and replace the cap it should be really easy.

Best of luck!

[SilverSportNOLA]

He forgot to add .... new clip that holds it all together ... if you don't get one the one you have usually breaks when you take it out .... chances of that I have seen here are 3:1 if you don't get one. Total cost of the parts is around $28 ... I think, the sensor was around $6 when I did mine and the price went way up in the last year or so.

[guitardude5]

I'd like to bump this thread to the top. My dad just got a '99 GLS with only 32,000 miles. It belonged to an 81 year old man who hardly ever drove it.

He is having a similar situation. The only thing different is that his blue light will flash and also stays lit. Overall, the car is running smoothly. Does that also sound like a sensor problem as well?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[Beetlemania]

Yeah, mine would stay on, then go off for a few minutes, then come on again.

NOLA, after 2 changes I've never had a clip break, but it's good to know that's a possibility! Maybe I'll get one of those just in case.

[gilligan]

It to lets you know that K-Mart is having a blue light special sale.