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VW New Beetle (GL, GLS & GLX)

760 messages,  Last post on Mar 05, 2012 at 10:41 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Beetle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 69 of 76

#681 of 760 Re: Red Light, Blue light ww fluid [vwbugged] by 2002jetta

Apr 27, 2006 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: vwbugged (Mar 30, 2006 11:31 am)
Hey,
 
I think I can help with one of your problems, but it sounds like you've got a pissy car (no offense). I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T and my coolant light used to come on sometimes. After taking it to the dealership I was told to simply add more collant. The light hasn't come on since. Go out and buy some pre-mixed collant (Like Prestone 50/50 and fill your collant level a bit (MAKE SURE YOUR ENGINE IS COLD WHEN YOU DO THIS!).
 
Sorry, but no advice for your other probs!
 
--Daniel

#682 of 760 Re: Red Light, Blue light ww fluid [2002jetta] by bpeebles

Apr 28, 2006 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: 2002jetta (Apr 27, 2006 1:54 pm)
NO NO NO -- Do not ever use any antifreeze besides G12 in a Volkswagen. Bad things can happen... you have been warned. (Hint: Gelling due to incompatable antifreeze can destroy the engine.)
 
If you just need to top off the cooling system... it is acceptable to use distilled water. (use no more than a cup or so) If you need to add more than that, you have a leak and should be adding G12 antifreeze. (after fixing the leak)

#683 of 760 Re: Red Light, Blue light ww fluid [bpeebles] by micweb

Apr 30, 2006 (8:42 am)

Replying to: bpeebles (Apr 28, 2006 8:30 pm)
I wanted to say something about the antifreeze issue but bit my tongue too. It's amazing how we make the second largest expenditure in our life (car after home) and then totally ignore dealers and dealer parts, buying premixed generic antifreeze (or other fluids) from the nearest, cheapest source. This sort of stuff (fluids and parts) although seemingly expensive is the cheapest part of overall car ownership.

#684 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [bpeebles] by manray

May 20, 2006 (5:15 am)

Replying to: bpeebles (Apr 04, 2006 6:47 pm)
No, I do not do the maintenance based on the owner's manual, I have the VW dealer do the maintenance. I use the owner's manual for reference. Having said that, according to the VW dealer mechanics, the oil pressure is fine as is the temperature of the car (since that light is also on). So....with your 30 year's experience, what now? I don't seem to be the only one having false indicator warning lights in VWs.

#685 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [manray] by bpeebles

May 21, 2006 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: manray (May 20, 2006 5:15 am)
If your servive technition TRULY put a calibratd pressure-meter on your engine and the oil-pressure is correct. Then the next logical step in troubleshooting would be to check the oil-pressure sensors on the engine to make sure they are reporting correctly.
 
Troubleshooting ANY problem with a mechanical apparatus (such as an automobile) is a sequence of logical steps that narrow the problem down. There is no magic in the process.... but having knowledge about the system being troubleshot coupled with logical troublshooting skills is helpful.
 
Any bonehead can guess what the problem is and charge you as they replace components. It is an unfortunate fact that some folks that "fix cars" for a living are more interested in selling parts than actually spending time troubleshooting a problem. (They are paid based on the number of vehicles they run thru their bay instead of the number of satisfied customers.)
 
What is more scary (to me) is that many of the younger "car fixers" have no clue what to do if the onboard computer does not show a failing sensor. (such as in your case)
 
My suggestion to you is to find somone that KNOWS how to troubleshoot and utilize the computer diagnostics. The problem you are having is NOT a diffucult one to diagnose and isolate.

#686 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [bpeebles] by manray

Jun 01, 2006 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (May 21, 2006 1:44 pm)
I will do that...thanks for your suggestions.

#687 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [manray] by limabn

Jun 09, 2006 (10:06 pm)

Replying to: manray (Jun 01, 2006 3:09 pm)
i also have been having the same problem with my temp light for the past few weeks. i have a 2001 Beetle with nearly 70,000 miles. It seems to drive fine but on random occasion the blue temp light sometimes won't go off after the engine's warmed up and when i drive it for more than half an hour it starts flashing. Then sometimes after flashing it goes off completely. Then later the light will come on again. i checked the manual and it says that it's an electrical problem - see your local Volkswagen dealer. But i've got issue with paying the dealership over $100 just to run a diagnostics test to then charge me more money IF they find out what the real problem is. i'm beginning to think that it's no big deal and that it's just a wire connected to the panel that's stopped working. i would be very interested to know if you do find out anything concrete.

#688 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [limabn] by mosgood

Jun 15, 2006 (10:59 am)

Replying to: limabn (Jun 09, 2006 10:06 pm)
I was searching the web and found your post because just this morning I began having the EXACT same problem with my temp light coming on blue, going off, flashing, resetting and working just fine after turning the car off for awhile. I have only had my 2001 beetle (2.0 gas enging) for about a month and a half, so no experience at all with this car... is it the temp sensor? If so, how hard is it to replace without a Bentley manual to walk you through it?

#689 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [mosgood] by bpeebles

Jun 15, 2006 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: mosgood (Jun 15, 2006 10:59 am)
Yout temp light serves multiple purposes. It may alert due to the LEVEL SENSOR in the resivour, if engine is too cold or if engine is too hot.
 
The MOST COMMON problem is that the level in the resivour is just a bit low... the light will indicate a problem until the engine warms up. At that point, the antifreeze expands enough to satisfy the level sensor and then the light goes out.
 
It is OK to a up to 1/2 cup of DISTILLED water to replenisth a low resivour. If you have to add any more than that, you have a leak and more attention is needed.
 
REMINDER... if you have to add antifreeze, use ONLY G12 antifreeze in a VW

#690 of 760 Re: 2001 New Beetle Oil and Temp light problem [bpeebles] by mosgood

Jun 26, 2006 (9:23 am)

Replying to: bpeebles (Jun 15, 2006 7:07 pm)
Just a follow-up ... it was indeed the temp sensor - cost me $7 and change at the dealership (including O-ring and clip) and about 5 mins to change it out. My blue temp light hasn't come on since (except when first starting - which is normal).

Messages Page 69 of 76

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