STOP - Cooling Warning Light

48624 Views 29 Replies 19 Participants Last post by James (caxton01), Jan 23, 2009

kevoh

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2008

This may have been round before, but I was getting a STOP - check coolant warning when first starting up. It tended to happen when cold, with the coolant in the tank between max & min. I took it down to the VW dealer (£59 + for a diagnostic!!) who has told me that I need a new coolant expansion tank...

Any1 been here? >~}

Ta

Kev

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

cuprabob

· #2 · Apr 14, 2008

I assume it's a Mk4 R32.

I has a Leon Cupra R that had the same problem and I understand it's quite common on all of the cars based on the Mk4 platform. I was lucky to get it fixedunder warranty but as I understand the coolant level sensor is part of the expansion tank. IIRC the part itself costs around £20 and you could fit yourself. You could also try cleaning the 2 metal prongs that dip into the coolant i.e. the sensor

rob_watti

· #3 · Apr 14, 2008

i had this on my mk4 anniversary, replaced it, cost around £20 Retail. Also done a few on customers cars. very easy to replace and just top up with anti freeze. Job Done

Homer

· #4 · Apr 15, 2008

Had this on my Mk4, water level had just dropped below the 'min' little top up and it was fine.

Rich R32

· #5 · Apr 15, 2008

Homer said:
Had this on my Mk4, water level had just dropped below the 'min' little top up and it was fine.

Ditto mate, cured it.

defianty

· #6 · Apr 15, 2008

Mine did this the day I picked it up. I drove straight back to the garage and told them about it. When I put the keys in the ignition the light went off and it's never been back on since. I think it was because the car was parked on a hill?????

Awesomesarah

· #7 · Apr 15, 2008

Yes
Check the level , never overfill them
But as has been said it is the MK4 Platorms that suffer with this
Dead easy to replace too
As has been said , it is only approx £20 for them too
That easy to do , I did one too on a Skoda Octavia
Sarah

the beast

· #8 · Apr 15, 2008

Hi Kevoh
Had the same problem on my mk4 r32 it will be the coolant sensor which
is all part of the expansion tank had a new tank fitted by the dealers top
up coolant level cost was about 25pounds common fault on these cars
iam told

Macdaddy©

· #9 · Apr 15, 2008

One of the Mk4 Golf's many "common faults".

I had this problem but found it to be a leaking pipe.

kevoh

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 15, 2008

Cheers for the info guys... quoted another £80 for the part & install - was told by the dealer that there was 'a very real possibility' that due 2 this the fans might not kick in, resulting in a blown engine costing £6.5k...

Sorry about the 'doh' factor but where do u buy the part?

K

rob_watti

· #11 · Apr 15, 2008

dealers

blackpug

· #12 · Apr 16, 2008

kevoh said:
Cheers for the info guys... quoted another £80 for the part & install - was told by the dealer that there was 'a very real possibility' that due 2 this the fans might not kick in, resulting in a blown engine costing £6.5k...

Sorry about the 'doh' factor but where do u buy the part?

K

What dealer was it?

jimmyca69

· #13 · Apr 16, 2008

If they are sure its the faulty expansion tank then fair enough. But they are about £9 for the part and simple to replace except you obviously have to flush the coolant first.

The other thing it could be is the ECT (engine coolant temp sensor) which is seperate and easy to change yourself. Part is about £12 from a dealer if that i believe. There is a good guide on tyresmoke of how to change it.

I would say the dealer isnt that good if they said that about the fans. If the 2 fans dont start up then chances are its the famous mk4 fan problem. Simple test is to have car running stationary and turn on the auto climate control. Both fans should kick in at low speed constantly. If they pulse on and off or come on fast for a short burst then it needs fixing. Again loads of info on this with a fix as well for it thats not easy but costs about £80 for the part and ideally a mate good with electrics. Dealers will charge you loads to replace the whole fan unit. £400 i think it is.

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G

· #14 · Dec 13, 2008

Hi,

I have the STOP ENGINE problem mentioned above - it only happens when the engine is cold. The coolant level is fine, so I've bought a new expansion tank for a tenner from the stealers. Is it just replacing the expansion tank that resolved this issue for those of you who also had this issue, or did you also change the sensor bit that plugs into the expansion tank? cheers.

Rockwilder

· #15 · Dec 13, 2008

I had this problem on my MK5. I just went to the dealers and bought a bottle of colant and overilled (by a little bit mind) Then the warning stopped.

G

· #16 · Dec 13, 2008

yeah i did that last winter. Since then i've had a new rad fitted and the coolant level is always above min - this problem only happens whn the engine is really cold first thing in the morning (if it has been nearly zero degrees centrigrade). Once the engine has been turned off, back on again and had a chance to run for a minute, the warning goes away. I t never happens if the outside temp. is warm or the engine is warm. Any advice about the expansion tank?

Mattchaps

· #17 · Dec 14, 2008

silverbomber said:
Hi,

I have the STOP ENGINE problem mentioned above - it only happens when the engine is cold. The coolant level is fine, so I've bought a new expansion tank for a tenner from the stealers. Is it just replacing the expansion tank that resolved this issue for those of you who also had this issue, or did you also change the sensor bit that plugs into the expansion tank? cheers.

This happened on mine a few weeks after buying it, so it just went back to the dealers. They told me they had to replace the expansion tank but not sure if the sensors were also changed or not. Only the expansion tank shows on the invoice IIRC.

Slapbladder

· #18 · Dec 14, 2008

sensor is built in to the expansion tank its only two metal prongs with a current running through. The prongs can get gunged up which stops the current making the warning sound

G

· #19 · Dec 14, 2008

cool, i'll change the tank for a new one, fingers crossed that'll solve the problem. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

MikeC

· #20 · Dec 15, 2008

I had this problem on mine and just got it sorted under extended warrenty on Friday. They said that it was the temp sensor. I have heard that it's pretty easy to do yourself though.

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

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