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Temperature guage flashing

Posted: 08 Mar 2016, 10:33
by eddioke
Probably already asked, I'm probably also asking in the wrong place too! But my excuse is I have just flew back from malaga airport then travelled back by train arriving home @23:30 last night poor night's sleep went to start van and the red light in the center of the temperature guage was flashing as it does waited till it went out fired up the old 1.7 diesel engine after glow plug etc went out engine caught almost imeadiatly then that little red light started flashing again, I have experienced this on my 1.4 diesel polo but if I let the engine run a minute or so switched off then restarted it the light would go out and stay out, on the van even after about ten minutes of starting running for a minute or two then trying again and again it would stop flashing start engine stay out for a few second's then start flashing again?

Now back to the polo I was once told while speaking to someone they thought they had herd somewhere in the case of a 2003 registered polo it was a sort of warning to say that it was very cold and the engine management was indicating a change of antifreeze was due the VW garage would then reset the engine management?

I don't want to damage the engine but I don't want to have keep asking to borrow the polo back off my daughter till the warmer weather returns ether.

Any advice reassurances that this is correct with an 89 1.7 T3 is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Re: Temperature guage flashing

Posted: 08 Mar 2016, 11:26
by jokeruk
Check the coolant tank in the engine bay (not the header behind the number plate flap). flashing coolant light is usually down to coolant level in there, or an issue with the sender that sits on top.

It needs to be full to the brim (or at least it does in a 1.6td - I'm assuming yours will be the same)

Re: Temperature guage flashing

Posted: 08 Mar 2016, 12:32
by eddioke
jokeruk wrote:Check the coolant tank in the engine bay (not the header behind the number plate flap). flashing coolant light is usually down to coolant level in there, or an issue with the sender that sits on top.

It needs to be full to the brim (or at least it does in a 1.6td - I'm assuming yours will be the same)

Thanks I will go out and have a look at that I thought I'd ask before I have to move all the junk I will have let the system cool though as now the air temperature has risen seeing the sun's came out I thought I'd have another go before I read your reply. I will also have a look at the wires too as with the fault on my selonoid before we went on holiday I might have dislodged something I didn't use the van I don't think since that problem was sourced

Re: Temperature guage flashing

Posted: 08 Mar 2016, 12:55
by eddioke
Yippeeeee yes level had dropped by about a small teacup full.

Pleased I asked instead of just assuming lol.

Thanks for the reply / solution to my problem, I'm not going to panic as to where the water went yet I will just keep an eye on it.

Re: Temperature guage flashing

Posted: 08 Mar 2016, 14:44
by jokeruk
Awesome. It could just be something as simple as a slight leak on a hose (I've actually got one too - I just haven't fixed it yet! [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY])