ive spent the last 4 hours out in the cold with the engine on and off anyoying the neighbours but i think im on my way to being sorted.
my engine is a 1.6 golf devr i believe according to some brainbox's on brickyard.
i traced the yellow and red wire as suggested in another thread, and shorted it to earth and hey presto guage reads high. so i took the sender out (one of them push fit 2 wire jobbies) got the part number, re-fitted it and drove round the motor factors. surrprise supprise only vw had one at £18 plus the dreded. pluged it in and still no joy. bugger!
have now spliced the return lead from the plug with a new wire straight to earth which causes the needle to move a bit so ill see how i get on.
also flushed the rad. nothing obvious there. its a justkampers thermostat
thanks for all the advice

[/img]