Temperature light flashing?

[Petehelmet]

Ok so got in my van and for some reason the temperature light starts flashing and beeps several times then carries on flashing indefinitely. Drives ok, any ideas ?

 

[Pauly]

Have you checked the coolant level to make sure its not low ?

 

[StudleyGlass]

I think when it flashes it means there is a fault with the coolant system? is the water and oil the temperatures showing as normal ?

 

[Petehelmet]

Yeah coolant slightly low but still above min mark, anyway topped up and all good. Thanks guys

 

[Pauly]

I seem to remember this was a issue on T5s also, going below the max setting can bring the light on even though its within the upper and lower limits

 

[Winkynut]

Ok so got in my van and for some reason the temperature light starts flashing and beeps several times then carries on flashing indefinitely. Drives ok, any ideas ?

Hi
Just signed up as your post was of interest.
Did you sort the problem with the light.
Just bought a 2016 caravelle and have a similar problem. Temperature is o.k. levels are o.k.
Fine on a long drive, stop for a few hours and drive again you get alarm and Flashing.
If you unpressurise the water it stops.
A bit of a worry
Will they and find a garage tomorrow

 

[Niknak]

Shouldn’t really have a lot of pressure if you’ve left it a few hours, the pressure could be forcing your coolant level low ? Think you need to check the level before releasing the pressure and maybe getting the van in for a sniff test

 

[Winkynut]

Shouldn’t really have a lot of pressure if you’ve left it a few hours, the pressure could be forcing your coolant level low ? Think you need to check the level before releasing the pressure and maybe getting the van in for a sniff test

I did top it up yesterday as I read the lower level could be too low. Hoping it's a doggie sensor or minor leak. The coolest is clear
Will check cold level in the morning
Always a bit of a worry when you buy a new van and think has someone unloaded a problem. Maybe that's just me.
What's a sniff check?

 

[Niknak]

Sniff test is for combustion gases present in the cooling system tell tale of head gasket failure, what engine size ? A couple leaks to look out for are water pump, coolant elbows ( above gearbox) and egr coolers not so obvious to find

 

[Dellmassive]

Sniff test is a check on the coolant to see if it contains any exhaust gasses or hydrocarbons...

Its normally a blue liquid in a glass bulb thats put onto the coolant resevoir with a running engine and squished like a turkey baister to sniff the coolant.

Any exhaust gasses will turn the blue liquid yellow or green.

Its used as an indication of the coolant system having a leak from a cooler or head gasket that may be forcing exhaust gasses into the cooling system.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I did top it up yesterday as I read the lower level could be too low. Hoping it's a doggie sensor or minor leak. The coolest is clear
Will check cold level in the morning
Always a bit of a worry when you buy a new van and think has someone unloaded a problem. Maybe that's just me.
What's a sniff check?

Was that “the coolant is clear”? It should be coloured, red if I remember correctly, clear coolant could mean there’s no antifreeze in it, best get it checked for antifreeze dilution as well, especially in this cold snap. A drop to below 25% antifreeze could spell danger for your cooling system if the temperature drops below freezing

 

[Niknak]

From memory vw recommend protection to -26 please don’t just splosh antifreeze in

 

[Winkynut]

Yes red but clear red. Topped it up with coolant
Garage will test next week but said possible head gasket. Or a leak. Will watch levels.
Did worry me when I saw it had just been serviced. Maybe the previous owners got the heads up and unloaded it.
Will keep you posted

 

[Winkynut]

Sniff test is for combustion gases present in the cooling system tell tale of head gasket failure, what engine size ? A couple leaks to look out for are water pump, coolant elbows ( above gearbox) and egr coolers not so obvious to find

2L 150

 

[Winkynut]

Good news I Hope's
Small amounts of coolant around the pipes below the globe.
Easy fix for s mechanic fingers crossed

 

[Niknak]

Have you got pics ? Sounds like could be coolant elbow

 

[Winkynut]

Garage today replaced the bottle top. Said there was a fault on it. Sounds odd to me but time will tell.
Before, when I opened the cap when pressurised saw some coolant exit at the bottom of the bottle

 

[Winkynut]

New egr valve. No goodwill from vw on 5 year old van even though is does look like a common problem. Vw want 1200. Going to take it to a local specialist