Club 80-90 Forums

I know it is normal but does anyone know why the temp light flashes for a few secs when you first switch on the ignition. I can't find anything in handbook or Haynes man.

Its probably like a modern car that puts up the fault lights for a few seconds so you can see that the system is working ok

Correct!

Who's the daddy

That sounds like a reasonable explanation but why flashing when the ignition & brake light don't.

Its that little extra that Vw puts in

Jeff J wrote:That sounds like a reasonable explanation but why flashing when the ignition & brake light don't.

There is no "ignition light". You're either thinking of the lack-of-charge warning light or the oil pressure light.

The difference is that all those three are "dumb", merely reacting to closed circuits, whilst the coolant light is "smart" - there's electronics behind it, causing it to come on when the level's low or the temp's too high.

Thanks that's a much more understandable concept

The Temperature gauge has a microchip inside and it is this 'chip' that causes the LED to flash for few seconds. Its just a function of the chip and, as pointed out, to confirm the LED and the chip are working.