Temp & oil light blinking like crazy

[lawlesseyes]

I did a search on this and couldn't find anything close to my problem.
As I am driving and I let off the gas to slow down as I get to a near stop, my oil light will flash a beep noise alerts me AND... my temp light goes on blue. This will continue until I accelerate again. Once it starts, it pretty much continues until I reach my destination and turn the car off. It makes no difference if I'm on level or incline. Just occurs when car is at a near stop.

I have noticed a lot of talk about coolant temp sensor replacing. I plan on picking one up and installing it. Couldn't find a thread on how to do this yet. All I have found is it's near the upper radiator hose. Can anyone give me more explicit how to on this?

What I have also found out is that there is a specific type of coolant to use in NB's. I had no idea! I'm a dork! I know I have tapped off with a basic anti freeze. Could this be the cause of this?

Thanks!
I just ordered my very own Bentley manual from Amazon.com. Can't wait to get it in the mail.

Thanks
Owner of the Beast

[TheSpatulaOfLove]

By god, check your oil! It sounds like it's low on oil, based on the description of the start/stop light show.

When is the last time you had the oil changed? ...and WHERE? If you went to one of those 15 min oil shyster places, you could be asking for trouble.

If you end up taking it in to have things looked at, I'd suggest getting the radiator flushed if you've been messing with the mixture. Mixing the green stuff with the orangish-pink stuff could be very very bad for the cooling system.

If you're dealership-shy, try to locate a VW specialist in your area. Your average joe mechanic may not know the oddities of VWs nor have the proper parts sources or tools to work on it.

[Maggadog]

Check out the owner's manual for the radiator fluid. The '06's need G12 and there is a major caution about putting in anything else except for distilled water.

[ThatBugGirl]

I am having the EXACT same problem with my 99 Turbo.

I have taken it in twice for the light (exact same thing, will come on sometimes when I'm not giving gas, at a stop, etc - goes off when I give it gas/accelerate) and all my oil pressure checks are totally fine. They've even removed my oil screen and cleaned it in case there was some sludgy build up.

I have plenty of oil, I have it changed on time (probably earlier than necessary), and my mechanic has checked my oil pressure at cool/warm/hot engine temps and everything is spot on. He suspects my sensor is on a hair trigger, but it's certainly something I'd like to get fixed if possible. It's scary to drive when that light comes on, even if it only lasts for a minute.

If anyone has more info about this issue, I'd be open to hearing it. I only had the problem starting about 4 weeks ago, and I'm up to almost 2 years with my Bug.

*sigh*

[lawlesseyes]

Exactly! I have my oil changed regularly. I checked the level and it's fine. Checked all my fluids. All are fine.

Are we the only two to have or have had this problem.
The only thing I have seen talked about is the coolant temp sensor. Have yet to find a thread on where it is and how to change it.
Has anyone changed one and can help me out with instructions?

[El Diablo]

I had the same problem. Replaced coolant temp sensor and problem went away. There are numerous threads that will show you where it is and how to change it. It is a cheap part and an easy fix. Do a search on blue temp light or coolant sensor.

[TheSpatulaOfLove]

The only concern I had was the oil light. When my coolant temp sensor flaked, I only got the red coolant light.


I just didn't want to hear another nightmare story about 'Billy-bob's quick oil change & bait shop' tearing up another VW.

That's why I asked the question and suggested checking fluids.

[lawlesseyes]

Went to the dealership during lunch and bought...

Temp senso cost $33.35
Seal cost $ 1.49
G-12 gallon cost $21.58

For a whopping grand total of $61.29 friggin dollars.
Now I know why everyone calls them stealerships!
I was hosed.

I am going to try and replace it tomorrow. I have searched and done searches on replacing this and all I keep coming up with is it's easy.

Wish me luck. After paying that ridiculous price I can't afford it not be this.

[TheSpatulaOfLove]

The coolant temp sensor is up in the front of the engine. If you looked at the battery box, look in the ten o'clock position, straight down.

There's a clip that slides around its neck - use a flat head screwdriver and slide it out. Be careful - if you break this clip, it's off to the dealer for a new one. From there, it should just pop out.

Good luck

[El Diablo]

Also, make sure you do the swap when the car is bone cold. You may have to do an "Indiana Jones" swap with it. You may have to reach in the port and fish the old O-Ring out (if you have another one). My ring was fine so I just pulled the old sensor out and quickly shoved the other one in. Hardly lost any coolant.

[ThatBugGirl]

Originally Posted by lawlesseyes

Went to the dealership during lunch and bought...

Temp senso cost $33.35
Seal cost $ 1.49
G-12 gallon cost $21.58

For a whopping grand total of $61.29 friggin dollars.
Now I know why everyone calls them stealerships!
I was hosed.

I am going to try and replace it tomorrow. I have searched and done searches on replacing this and all I keep coming up with is it's easy.

Wish me luck. After paying that ridiculous price I can't afford it not be this.

Must just be me, but I think that's a steal for fixing this rather annoying problem (if it works, of course). I mean, I spent $150 already having my old screen cleaned of sludge "in case" that was part of the issue, so I'd gladly throw another $65 at the issue to be rid of that light and know that I'm not actually having an oil pressure issue.

Good luck with the work!

[lawlesseyes]

WOW! Thanks so much Spatula and El Diablo. I changed my Coolant sensor and no more christmas tree dash.
You weren't kidding about the Indiana Jones move. I quickly plunked the new one in and then realised that the old O ring was still in there. Sooo had to do all over again. Good thing I picked up some Anti freeze.
Anyone else having this problem. Change your Sensor. Probably the problem.
My old one was blue, now I have the green one in.
Also put a new Air filter in. Beast is purring.

Again thanks to everyone who helped me out with this problem. Couldn't have done it without you.

Beastmaster
Doing a happy dance.

[El Diablo]

Excellent! Glad to hear it worked (although I was positive that it would)!

[btlejuce]

I also have had the same problem, I purchased a new sensor from the dealership (green one), just cant seem to find the old one on the block. could you be more specific or a photo as to the "10 o'clock" from the battery trick? - Mine seems totally different on my '03 TDI

[blue'99]

Originally Posted by btlejuce

I also have had the same problem, I purchased a new sensor from the dealership (green one), just cant seem to find the old one on the block. could you be more specific or a photo as to the "10 o'clock" from the battery trick? - Mine seems totally different on my '03 TDI

The best way to describe the location is to say it's on the back of the engine, on the water outlet, a black plastic part that the top radiator hose goes to!
Good luck, Earl

[elnacoman]

I also just noticed that my 02 turbo S oil lamp on the cluster is blinking and buzzing. The blur coolant sensor also lights up. It doesn't happen all the time but I almost S--t myself when it first happened. What do I do and how do I do it. Did the coolant sensor fix the oil lamp also? Please help, i wanna drive my car.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I didn't have any problem with the oil when my temp sensor went. Change the temp sensor and for the oil ... do the simple things first, check the dipstick and make sure there is enought oil in the engine. If there is, what kind of oil have you been using. The 1.8T calls for pure synthetic oil. If you are not using it, start, you will coke up the turbo with regular oil and even if you change it every 3000 miles you are going twice its life in a turbo motor ... I use Mobil1 5w30 or 0W30, 76000 miles no problems, it had regular oil in it for about 500 miles, found the reciept from the oil change before I bought it at 26K miles. I change mine about every 5000 miles, but never before.

[elnacoman]

Were you able to fix your problem? I am havign the same problem with the oil light and buzzer going off when slowing down. Plenty of Oil but still the light show. I need to fix this since I don't want to drive it like that.

[SilverSportNOLA]

The blue coolant light comes on when the car is cold .... you should not go racing any ricers until it goes off .... when the engine is up to operating temperature.

Your Oil Light issue .... how long have you owned the car ... and answer my question about the oil you are using.

The problem could be as simple as an oil pressure sensor going out .... or clogged by oil sludge as well as the rest of your engines lubricating arteries. The only oil additive I have ever used in my 1.8T is Lucas Synthetic Oil Stabilizer (usually every 3rd or 4th oil change). I would ask around before using an oil flush .... not sure if it will be good with the turbo. The 1.8T in the Passat used to have a problem with oil sludge due to the design of the oilpan (different engine than the beetle and mounted front to back) .... and probably the thriftyness of their owners. Also, the consensus on most automotive forums and espcially on 1.8T forums is, FRAM filters are CR@!.

[elnacoman]

I just bought my car from a VW/BMW dealership. I drove it home 160 miles and the light started flashing a day later. I looked under the hood and noticed that the crankcase breather hose was torn apart. I ordered the part but it has not arrived. I have not driven the car because I don't want to risk messing it up. It drives nice btu the light worries me. Should I have it serviced by the dealer under the extended warranty($100.00 deductable)or should I take it to the dealer for a $90.00 oil change and hope that fixes it? Do you think the crankcase hose could attribute to the prob? I don't know where the collant sensor (green) is locazated so I don't know if my 02 turbo S still has the black one. Could that be the prob? Please help, I wanna drive my car.