Temperamental temperature light!

[thorby]

Just wondering if anyone can advise - we have an interesting issue with our temp warning light...
It's going on (sometimes - but not always) when we drive, when the gauge reaches around half way. However, when we turn right, the temperature goes back down and the light goes off - oh, the joys of old vw ownership!
We did have a problem where it overheated due to the fan not working, but replacing the fan sensor switch solved this. Now we have a new challenge!
Any advice really appreciated,
Thank you!

[Ian Hulley]

Just wondering if anyone can advise - we have an interesting issue with our temp warning light...

There is no such thing as a 'temp warning light' it's the header tank coolant level warning light. These are known to fail and flsh at seemingly random times, also a wire or earth issue can cause a similar malfunction.

Ian.

[thorby]

Apologies for the incorrect terminology - but glad it was clear what I meant....
Thanks for your help. It may well be an electrical fault. I was wondering though, whether it may be to do with whether water was getting round the system properly.
Again, excuse me if I'm not using the best terminology - as a mere woman I'm better at talking housework and child rearing rather than mechanics.....

[Ian Hulley]

as a mere woman I'm better at talking housework and child rearing rather than mechanics.....

I've never met a 'mere woman' yet And your's was a perfectly sensible question, but it's best you understand why that light comes on though. Have you bled your cooling system properly ? Is the header tank full and the top-up tank on the max mark ?

Ian

[thorby]

The levels are all ok - how do you go about bleeding the system though (my husband may have done this already but not sure if he did it right)?!? We did have to fill it up again with water after it was all ditched on the dual carriageway in a traffic jam, however after doing this and subsequently replacing the fan sensor switch we weren't having any problems.
Just thinking of a few examples of how its been behaving...
Recalling now, the first time it did this was when the engine wasn't even warm and the gauge shot up and the light came on. Then, we switched the engine off, turned it back on, and it all reset and was fine. Braking hard also corrected it another time. And as I said, the latest discovery was the right hand turn. My husband did drive it with the clutch in (not too far - obviously) to relieve the strain and the gauge went down and the light went off - does this suggest to you that it is likely to be an overheating problem rather than just a loose or dodgy connection?
The fan also doesn't come on when we're moving and the gauge hits the halfway (ish) mark, although the fan does come on when it's just left running on the drive.
Thanks again for any help - it's a newish van for us. We bought it not running, so we've made great leaps and bounds forwards so far, although still at the stage of working out all it's particular traits!

[Ian Hulley]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system

From the 80-90 wiki at the top of the page. From your description it sounds like you may have a leak somewhere (common fault) or something more expensive, HOWEVER don't panic just yet. Bleed it properly and see what happens after that.

It would be advisable if you buy a Haynes manual as well, these are about £15 and will save you a fortune in the long run.

Ian.

[thorby]

Brilliant, thank you! We'll give it a go.
and I won't panic.... yet....

[AngeloEvs]

it is both - a temperature warning light and a coolant level warning light, sound like yours needs bleeding but some of th electrical issues are covered in this thread https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57800