Coolant warning light

[Jude Starr]

My 2008 Tig flashes the coolant warning light, on, or shortly after start up. When I stop and open the surge tank, there is an audible release of air, but the actual level of coolant is fine. So, I screw the cap back down and proceed on my way...the warning light is stopped. It seems to happen more frequently in this current spate of hot weather (car sits out in the sun while I'm at work).

Some ideas on what is going on, and how to fix it, would be greatly welcomed. Thanx!

[Guest001]

My 2008 Tig flashes the coolant warning light, on, or shortly after start up. When I stop and open the surge tank, there is an audible release of air, but the actual level of coolant is fine. So, I screw the cap back down and proceed on my way...the warning light is stopped. It seems to happen more frequently in this current spate of hot weather (car sits out in the sun while I'm at work).

Some ideas on what is going on, and how to fix it, would be greatly welcomed. Thanx!

Did you look in radiator and not just the reserve tank

[Jude Starr]

Mmmmm, good point...no, didn't think of that (haven't have the car very long). It doesn't overheat of anything, so I don;t think the overall collant level is an issue, but I will check next time it does it.

[Guest001]

Mmmmm, good point...no, didn't think of that (haven't have the car very long). It doesn't overheat of anything, so I don;t think the overall collant level is an issue, but I will check next time it does it.

Always check a radiator when its COLD. NEVER hot unless you have cast iron skin.

[tigger73]

It could even be a sensor fault (wouldn't be the first time). If your engine temps are all OK maybe your sensor/wiring doesn't like the hot weather. Though don't ask me where it is as I haven't had to go looking for this one yet...

[Jude Starr]

Always check a radiator when its COLD. NEVER hot unless you have cast iron skin.

Oh yes, I know that one!

[Bambazonke]

Could be as Tigger 73 said a faulty sensor or the radiator cap pressure relief valve is not holding pressure and needs replacement or you have an air lock in the system. Are you loosing coolant? PM your email address and I will send you the VW proceedure to replace/refill coolant in the Tiguan

[Jude Starr]

Thanx Bambazonke! Will do!

[203132]

I've got a 2009 Tiguan which has the same issue at the moment. Suprisingly this happens when the weather is cold and when there is enough coolant. Gunna send it off to the garage to get it checked out again. Has the issue been resolved for you Jude?

[Bambazonke]

This happened 18 months ago and I think this issue for Jude was a lot more serious than initially thought and required the engine to be opened up. I also think the car was disposed of soon after it was repaired as Jude has not been active on the forum for sometime now.

[Snail Style]

If the coolant level warning light is coming on only when cold AND the coolant level is correct, then usually the sensor in the bottle is at fault. Easy fix for it is to give the two prongs a good scrub with a toothbrush and fill the bottle up with a little extra coolant concentrate.

The two temp sensors & no other sensors in the motor will cause the coolant LEVEL light to come on. However if your having a coolant temperature light come on, then that is a different kettle of fish.

If you are loosing coolant, it might help if you let us know what motor you have.

[203132]

Hi guys,

So this morning the coolant level has dropped overnight after topping it up last week at the VW service centre.

@Snail Style: It's a 2009 Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4motion.

Thought I'd like to add that I don't see any coolant dripping on the garage floor.

[Transporter]

Hi guys,

So this morning the coolant level has dropped overnight after topping it up last week at the VW service centre.

@Snail Style: It's a 2009 Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4motion.

Thought I'd like to add that I don't see any coolant dripping on the garage floor.

Dropped by how much? How many mm under the minimum? If you top up to full mark when the engine is at operating temperature the coolant level will drop a few mm when the engine is cold in the morning, that's the law of physics.

[203132]

Dropped by how much? How many mm under the minimum? If you top up to full mark when the engine is at operating temperature the coolant level will drop a few mm when the engine is cold in the morning, that's the law of physics.

Let's assume the reservoir was filled to the top mark when the engine was warmish, you reckon it'll drop by this much?



Anyways, I've filled it up again while it's cold. We'll see how it goes...keep ya posted

[Transporter]

Ok, it's a closed system and the level shouldn't drop by that much. Make sure you keep the record of how much you added in.

Sent from my GT-N8000