Temp Light on, no codes ?

[japple]

My temp light has started coming on(solid red) a few seconds after the car starts. It goes out after the self check and then comes back on.

Turning the car on an off clears it, although sometimes it takes 2 start/stops. Also this morning just letting the car run cleared it. It does not seem directly related to outside temp, it was 29 this morning, but it has happened at 44 and not at 34 ...

I checked the fluid level and it's ok (and pink)

I bought a Scangauge II hoping to catch the code, but it does not find anything.

Any help would be great.

TIA

[Smileybug]

Just a temp light will more often than not have a code.

My first thought is a coolant temp. sensor since your car is so new. How many miles on it?

[japple]

It's a 2008 with 22k miles. I've had it about a year and have not changed the pump or sensor. The car was a VW exec car in Mich before I got it.

Thanks

[Smileybug]

I would assume you're still under a warranty. So I would take it to the dealer and have them check it out.

[japple]

Looks like that's where I'm heading, but my dealer charges $80 if they don't find anything wrong. Since it only happens a couple of time a week and seemingly only on initial start up I don't see any way they are going to reproduce it, hence the $80 charge and it still doesn't get fixed. Going there is my last last resort warranty or not.

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by japple

I bought a Scangauge II hoping to catch the code, but it does not find anything.

Vagcom may find a code has been logged.

[Smileybug]

It could, but its just the coolant light coming on.

[japple]

I will take it in tomorrow, happened again this morning. Scan gauge had the temp at 46 when the light came on, which since the outside temp was 36 seemed reasonable. It went off on it's on as the car warmed up. The running temp seems to be 195 to 204.

[Smileybug]

I would bet its the coolant temp. sensor. I would like to think they put the good one in the new models, but they might not have.

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

It could, but its just the coolant light coming on.

The coolant sensor isn't connected to the light except via the ECU, if the light is on the ECU put it on and should have logged a code.

Forgot to add... and if there is a code there can't be an $80 NFF charge as a code IS logged....

[japple]

Took awhile to get to the dealer, they wanted it left over night. Of course it was freaky warm the next morning, 50 and it didn't happen. It's been 30 or below for weeks ! Anyway they are saying the coolant level was low. I checked this first and it the reservoir was half full, which I thought was ok ? The dealer topped it off and charged me $44. This morning it was 20 and it didn't happen, so hopefully it is gone.

[Smileybug]

You have to base the coolant level off of the min line, which is about halfway down the reservoir. Even if its slightly above, sometimes it can trigger the light. Keep your levels well above the min line, and make sure you use the G12 coolant or distilled water to top it off

[japple]

Thanks, good to know. It was right on the line when I checked.

[shellbug]

Mine doesn't show any codes either and dealer won't do anything about it. Mine flashes and beeps on the initial start if its below 50F. Then goes out after I start driving and turns to the blue light.

[japple]

In my case after a couple minutes the light went out. It has not come back since the coolant was topped off.