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Temperature gauge LED blinking for 5 minutes when starting the engine

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This is not normal, as I remember it from last time I owned a Mk1.
In my 1982 Golf C, which I recently received, the LED is blinking for appr 5 min before it stops. Otherwise, the instrument is working normal, and the temperature seems to stabilize at normal level.
What can be the exploitation?

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clean up the wire and connection to the coolant temp sensor, and check the wire is all ok. its the red/yellow wire to the black sensor in the front or side coolant flange

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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Mine has done it for 20+ years, seemed to be fixed last year when I repaced the earthing wire to the rocker cover to cure some other electrical gremlins, but it returns occasionally still. Sometimes you can rectify it by switching engine off and then starting again.  I did put a new sensor in the coolant tank, but in my case it didn't work, but the old one was pretty rusty so a sensible job anyway.

Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

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the level sensor relay could be the cause on yours richard, sometimes the level sensors allow water to leak out thru the pins which then wicks up the wires and corrodes the relay. to rule the relay and sensor out just pull the relay that'll disable the level warning system entirely, if problem is solved look at that, if not look at sensor, wiring and earthing :)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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golf C probably wont have a level sensor, but its worth a look :)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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rubjonny said

the level sensor relay could be the cause on yours richard, sometimes the level sensors allow water to leak out thru the pins which then wicks up the wires and corrodes the relay. to rule the relay and sensor out just pull the relay that'll disable the level warning system entirely, if problem is solved look at that, if not look at sensor, wiring and earthing :)

Thank you, I'll give it a try when it comes out of its winter hibernation.

Golf GTI Campaign 1983 Mars Red, Ford S-Max 2015, Audi TT 180 quattro 2003, Fiat 500C 2013, Golf GTE MK7.5

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Thx guys!
Also in my case, the problem only occurs occasionally. Meanwhile I've been adding more coolant to the system, in case this may have been a reason to trigger the LED, and even inconclusive, it hasn't been blinking for some days now, which could indicate the presence of a level sensor (be aware this is the mighty 1,5 liter Golf C :)).
The last couple of days however, I've been puzzled by the temperature level being reduced dramatically after the engine has reached normal level. In other words, first up to normal working level, then dropping back to minimum or beyond (all this according to the gauge). I'm currently driving around in Oslo, Norway, experiencing around zero degrees or right below, and the heating system are working OK even when the gauge starts to display low engine temp. 

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look for a 2 pin plug on the top of the header tank, if there is one thats your level sensor :)

if your temp gauge falls below half when driving this means your thermostat is missing or stuck open, easy fix :)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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Header tank, you mean expansion tank? (which my car is without)

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yeah thats the one, may be worth a look for a 42/43 relay above the fusebox in case its had a loom swap or it had a tank at some popint in the past

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



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