twice in this last week when i have started my car on a morning the red water light has stayed on and flashed. knocked the engine off restarted and the light goes off.

any advice on why it is doing this?

Take the top off the coolant expansion tank (engine cold). Inside you will see two metal prongs, clean them with a screwdriver, job done. Replace tank for a more permanent solution (£12 from dealer)

That's assuming you have a tank you can see into - neither of ours are like that. A new tank is the only option in that case, athough shorting the sensor is an own-risk workaround. Always seems to happen as Autumn approaches... :ne_nau:

Mine did this every winter, I checked the level every weekend, and ignored the light

my expansion tank is as clean as anything, i will take the cap off and have a look

my expansion tank is as clean as anything, i will take the cap off and have a look

1. New expansion tank from SKODA £11.26 inc VAT

Fifteen minutes to remove and replace (There are picture guides on this forum)

2. Ignore as we never used to have water level guides on older cars just check level of water (oops £30 a gallon coolant sorry) regulary

3. Short out the plug with a 180k ohm resistor

Pick anyone of three

National

1. New expansion tank from SKODA £11.26 inc VAT

Fifteen minutes to remove and replace (There are picture guides on this forum)

2. Ignore as we never used to have water level guides on older cars just check level of water (oops £30 a gallon coolant sorry) regulary

3. Short out the plug with a 180k ohm resistor

Pick anyone of three

National

You've all forgotten the initial "bwah! woss-at!" reaction to something red appearing on the dash. Mine didn't do it on startup. It did it 1/2 way through pulling out of a T junction.

0. Re-compose yourself, return to the house for fresh undergarments.

Glad this post was made, mine did this for the first time yesterday, glad its a common problem!

2. Ignore as we never used to have water level guides on older cars just check level of water (oops £30 a gallon coolant sorry) regulary

3. Short out the plug with a 180k ohm resistor.

On 2, you can use any coolant that meets TL774D spec is fine - VAG just use the name G12 to confuse / scare you into paying dealer prices! As for shorting the sensor, I've found that any piece of stiff wire works...