Golf GLS 2000 Overheating

My car has 56k miles and my check engine light keeps turning on. It seems to run fine, but I had somebody look at it and he told me that I need to replace my mass air flow sensor.

Now it's overheating. What should I do? I don't have too much money to spend right now, times are tough. Is there anything I can do to keep my car from overheating without going to the mechanic?

My car fixing skills are bad.

Thanks for your help

I got that sensor replaced for free at the dealer, it is under the factory warrant of course they changed it for free and then they told me that the light was still on and that i had to changed a pipe i did and it came off. Check on that at the dealer!

I have similar problem. Got the mass air flow sensor fixed free. Unrelated my Golf started to overheat at 65,000 miles. Changed the thermostat myself. Still overheats. Any ideas anyone?

mass air flow meters on 97 to 02 have an extended covrage till 70,000 miles now at a volkswagen dealer. the overheating concern way be due to alot of things but they did have problems with the cooling fan control modules going bad, does your cooling fans ever run? also have seen and replaced alot of water pumps due the impellar braking away from the pump shaft inside the block. check after the vehicle is up to operating temperature if both of the radiator hoses are getting warm or if just one is. let me know what you find and ill give you a better awnser.

Thanks for the message. My problem was the impeller breaking away from the water pump shaft. After I saw what it was, I figured I was not alone in my problem. Considering what it takes to change the water pump, that is a pretty sad situation.

Gary