It has been happening recently that if it is very cold outside when I start the car (below 0°) the coolant warning light begins to pop up. I have checked the ammount and how much cold it can handle and everything seems okey.

Also if the car has just been running for a minute maybe, I turn it off, and on again, then the light doesn't pop up......

Any ideas what it the problem?

It's a common one. With the engine cold, open the top water reservoir, and you'll see a couple of metal prongs poking down into the coolant. Scrape those a few times with a flat screwdriver, and you should find the problem is cured.

Will try that, thanks for quick solution

girlfriends Golf has had this problem since new back in 05. No faults found and as said, just clean up the sensor tips, job's a good un

Tried it and works like a charm

I have a VRS & today it is very cold -3 in the tropics of southern england & my coolant light was flashing all the way to work which scared me to death! I read the manual & it says not to drive any further!

I went back to the car a few minutes later & the warning light was not on.

I am a lady? & would not know how to scrape the prongs you refer to?

Do you think it is still safe to drive?

Have you checked the coolant level?

Hi - thanks for repying - I have just been to check in my lunch hour - so its three & half hours since I have used the car - & the coolant level is sitting on the MIN line.

Drop a little in, Get it a little closer to the max line.

If its just a top up like this then a little water is ok, if its still doing it we can dig an image out of what you are looking for.

Thanks - I'll give that a go - I'm just scared I will wreck the engine.

no need to worry..... just make sure your putting water in the correct bottle.... drop a little in... check.... bit more... check ideally get the level to just under the MAX line and should be ok.

This time of year its only little things which creep up cos of the cold.

When you do take the cap off just poke your nose in the bottle, you will see 2 metal prongs/sticks, these are for the level warning sensor... they use the water to create a current/connection between them, when they are dry or too dirty the loop is broken and the warning light comes on.

....thats very re-assuring, thanks very much :sun:

You made it further than most women drivers, you managed to open the bonnet

You made it further than most women drivers, you managed to open the bonnet

This thread could get very sexist .

On a serious note, scraping the prongs was the first thing i had to do to mine when i bought it last week. Searched Briskoda forums and Bobs your Uncle. Sorted.

Second cold morning and second day of coolant warning light and scary bong. Turning the engine on and off cleared it though. Looks like a lunchtime prong scrape is required.

I have a VRS & today it is very cold -3 in the tropics of southern england & my coolant light was flashing all the way to work which scared me to death! I read the manual & it says not to drive any further!

I went back to the car a few minutes later & the warning light was not on.

I am a lady? & would not know how to scrape the prongs you refer to?

Do you think it is still safe to drive?

Start it and get the flashing light, run for a minute or so, switch off, count to 10 and restart. that should clear it for the day.

 

As to the prong scraping, look inside the cap you've removed to top up the coolant. They're quite visible. If you can see them, and find a 5mm blade flat screwdriver, that's all you need.

Snap! Had to do this today....pretty common but the bleep doesnt half make u cack your pants!