Water temp warning light

" worth checking the wiring plug on the back of the instruments in case it's loose"
this plug is notorious for not making a good connection and can cause all sorts of spurious faults! Its always a good idea to use some good quality tape around the plug to ensure a good connection.

the connections are fine i think, the problem all started when the hose split the other day?
unsure why it has started now!! the light should have gone out.
i do build wiring looms for our beach buggys at home so i am no novice - i am banging my head though against a very large wall! lol

as mentioned breifly, check the earths to the side of the head. one of them is for the GTI clocks and could well be the root of all the other issues you mention as well

does that earth wire from head go to a selection of other earth wires does anyone know - if not i will start tracing them back.

the brown/white wire runs sback in the engien loom to fusebox area to a female spade, this then plugs into male spade on the dash loom wire from clocks

Cool thanks mate