joelbert
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
- Location
- NJ
- TDI
- 2004 Jetta TDI GLS Wagon, 5 Spd, Sold-2002 Jetta Sedan auto, 2003 GLS Wagon auto project
In the last few days it has gotten colder here in NJ. With temps in the mid teens (°F) the coolant warning light flashes after I start the car, and continues to flash for the first trip of the day. After I stop the car and restart it the flashing goes away. Yesterday I did a long trip with it, got to full operating temperature, and the light did not stop until I turned the car off and back on. Today I did a 2 mile trip as the first of the day and same thing, the light did not come on after the first trip of the day even though the car was still pretty cold. I am turning the key, letting the glow plugs glow for about 25-30 seconds and then cranking. It starts in a few seconds, and idles kind of rough at about 1100 rpm for the first 40-60 seconds with a fair bit of white smoke. Then the idle calms down a bit, and I drive off.
According to the owners manual the light indicates that the car is low on coolant (it isn't) or the car is too hot (15°F today when I started it). I checked the coolant reservoir today before I started it, and there were no signs of ice, so I doubt that the coolant mix is way off and freezing to confuse the sensor. A couple weeks ago I used vag-com to check that the coolant and fuel temp sensors were working okay and they seemed fine, but that was starting from about 40°F
Any ideas?
According to the owners manual the light indicates that the car is low on coolant (it isn't) or the car is too hot (15°F today when I started it). I checked the coolant reservoir today before I started it, and there were no signs of ice, so I doubt that the coolant mix is way off and freezing to confuse the sensor. A couple weeks ago I used vag-com to check that the coolant and fuel temp sensors were working okay and they seemed fine, but that was starting from about 40°F
Any ideas?