Coolant light

[ricaroo]

I was under the hood checking out the coolant level, oil etc. Everything looks good. However when I started the car the coolant light came on and continued to flash while the car was running. I shut the car off and started it again and the coolant light went out like it always has. Whats up with that?

The only thing I did when I checked the coolant was take the cap off look in the tank and put the cap back on.

Any ideas whats going on? Is this normal? It doesn't happen every time

Thanks
Rick

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by ricaroo

I was under the hood checking out the coolant level, oil etc. Everything looks good. However when I started the car the coolant light came on and continued to flash while the car was running. I shut the car off and started it again and the coolant light went out like it always has. Whats up with that?

The only thing I did when I checked the coolant was take the cap off look in the tank and put the cap back on.

Any ideas whats going on? Is this normal? It doesn't happen every time

Thanks
Rick

Is it flashing red or blue?

Flashing red Red (upon a cold startup) usually means you are low on coolant and need to refill ASAP. Do not mix coolants.... If pink coolant is used, use vw's pink G12 coolant. If it is green, feel free to add more green, but look into getting all pink coolant soon!

Flashing Blue means its time for a new coolant temperature sensor. Those can be bought from your local autoparts store for $9.99 or at your local Vw Dealership for $27. Takes all of 5 minutes to change

[ricaroo]

Hi,
It flashes red, I checked the level and it is not low

this flashing on cold start up only started after I took the cap off to check the condition inside the reservoir. The coolant level is right up to the mark on the reservoir.


Thanks

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

Is it flashing red or blue?

Flashing red Red (upon a cold startup) usually means you are low on coolant and need to refill ASAP. Do not mix coolants.... If pink coolant is used, use vw's pink G12 coolant. If it is green, feel free to add more green, but look into getting all pink coolant soon!

Flashing Blue means its time for a new coolant temperature sensor. Those can be bought from your local autoparts store for $9.99 or at your local Vw Dealership for $27. Takes all of 5 minutes to change

x2

When changing the temp sensor, have some G12/Coolant ready to put in, since a few inches may come out.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by ricaroo

Hi,
It flashes red, I checked the level and it is not low

this flashing on cold start up only started after I took the cap off to check the condition inside the reservoir. The coolant level is right up to the mark on the reservoir.


Thanks

Thats low Does yours have the Max line?

[ricaroo]

Yes it does have a max line,and no the coolant is not that high. It is on the min line when cold.

It seems odd that I never had a light come on until the day I took the cap off so I could see the condition of the coolant. I put the cap back on and now I get the light. I should have left well enough alone.

Rick

[Smileybug]

Fill it up closer to the max line, if not to it. The sensors are sensitive in these cars. If its at min, it will likely throw the light.

[kellyyysayss]

You can't have it at the min line, especially when it is cold, because it only drains further.

Don't fill it up to the max, either.

Fill it at the halfway point between the min and max lines, or just under the max line.

(This usually happens, not something to worry about!)

[ricaroo]

I stopped by the VW dealer on the way home and picked up a gallon of G12 ($22) I put about 3 oz in started the car and NO light.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Rick

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by ricaroo

I stopped by the VW dealer on the way home and picked up a gallon of G12 ($22) I put about 3 oz in started the car and NO light.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Rick

You have to make a 50-50 mix of DISTILLED water and G12.
What you did prob won't hurt you, but just so you know for another time.

[Smileybug]

Just means that next time you top up, use water instead of coolant. An exact 50/50 mix isn't necessary. I think 30/70 is even recommended in some cases.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

You have to make a 50-50 mix of DISTILLED water and G12.
What you did prob won't hurt you, but just so you know for another time.

The Gallon of G12 that the Vw Dealerships sells is premixed at 50/50

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

The Gallon of G12 that the Vw Dealerships sells is premixed at 50/50

Not at my VW. Says clearly to mix 50-50 OR 70-30 (depending on the climate).

x2 to Smile on the water.