BrokeBeetle

I have a 2003 VW beetle, 56,500 miles, original owner bought from a VW dealer. On August 28, the temperature/coolant light came on flashing red. It didn't overheat. I took it into a VW dealer- Dave Walters Akron, OH. They replaced the water pump and the temp/coolant sensor. Within the next day or so the light came on again. I returned it to the dealer. They then replaced the thermostat. The light did not come back on over the labor day weekend. On Tuesday morning, though, it came back on. It now comes on, beeps a couple of times, and then flashes for a couple of mins every time I turn on the car. However, today, the light came on 3 times on my way to work. My commute to work is about 15 mins.
New water pump, new thermostat, new sensor...what else could it be?

Kirk in Iowa

From the service manual, "A flashing red coolant light comes on to indicate a low coolant level condition or an overheat. A warning buzzer may also sound."

Since the car isn't overheating and you have apparently addressed the overheat condition try looking into the coolant level. If the level is good, it may be the level sensor.

The level sensor is located on the overflow tank.

By the way, I just had the same issue with mine and it turned out to be the coolant level. The light started out blue in the morning, the quickly switched to flashing red, then 3 or 4 minutes later it was back to blue, then off. Way to fast to be an overheat.

Checked the level and it was low.

Kirk

BrokeBeetle

Thanks Kirk,

It was indeed the coolant level. I assumed this wasn't a problem as the dealership had charged me to top it off when they replaced my thermostat. Thanks again, no new indicator lights since they refilled it this week.

BB