98 Golf coolant warning light comes on car shuts off

Hi,
Can anyone help. The temprature or coolant warning light comes on in my 98 golf and then the car shuts off. It wont restart for about 15 or 20 minutes and then starts right up again. Is this a thermostat problem. I'm pretty clueless.

Thanks in advance for any help on this!

What does the gauge do?

What does the gauge do?
Thanks boschmann for the reply. The gauge is solidly in the middle. Its not registering excessively hot.

The light comes on first? Do you think in could be the other way around? The car dies then the light comes on, or it may happen together. I've never paid attention if that light comes on if the engine just stalls, I'm pretty sure the battery/charge light does. I don't know of anything that would shut the engine down due to that light flashing (if the gauge isn't going up it usually just indicates a low coolant situation). You may want to get it on a scanner to see what the other part of the temp sensor is telling the engine computer.

Thanks again boschmann. The coolant was low. I'll take it to get it hooked up. I appreciate the response. Take care. Hasppy Holidays!

The light comes on first? Do you think in could be the other way around? The car dies then the light comes on, or it may happen together. I've never paid attention if that light comes on if the engine just stalls, I'm pretty sure the battery/charge light does. I don't know of anything that would shut the engine down due to that light flashing (if the gauge isn't going up it usually just indicates a low coolant situation). You may want to get it on a scanner to see what the other part of the temp sensor is telling the engine computer.
Boschmann good morning. You mentioned getting the car on a scanner does the mechanic have to have a special scanner or diagnostic machine for the 98 Golf or would most good mechanics have the equipment to pull codes. Do I have to take it to a dealer?

Any generic scanner with datastream capability can read the coolant temp sensor's reading. If the light is flashing then it might just be a problem with the expansion tank level sensor.

Thanks again for the feedback boschmann I greatly appreciate it.