flashing water temp light

[tswp91]

Went to tahoe yesterday (temp 30 degrees), got there no problem. when leaving, water temp light flashing, but car running fine. No over heating. Any ideas?

[berrowboys]

Common problem on passats - this fault is electical. The real temperature guage to watch is the needle. Your fault might disappear if if you switch off the ignition and restart car or remove top up cap on expansion bulb and top up - usually a small amount - a cup full.

[alexlloyd]

The light on the VR-6 will flash on low level and stay on with an overtemp.

[veedubmechanic]

VR6 usually overheats if the thermostat is faulty.

[Npain316]

This was happening to My Passat 94' GLX VR6 too. It would flash, and when I turned off the engine and then back on again the blinking stopped. Untill today when my heater core broke. Im sure I looked like Cheech and Chong driving with the windows down and white steam bellowing out.

Good Luck
Pain

[Casper062103]

Try tapping the reservoir the sending unit sometimes sticks. Let me know if this works please.

[mryoungy]

Check the level of your coolant!

Look at your coolant for any oil contamination too this can affect the sensor - changes the resistance. (oil coolers/ heat exchanger - which is in the oil filter housing Known to fail and oil goes into the coolant.

coolant temp sensors known to fail - some have 4 x wires (2 for engine management and 2 for dash panel).
also dash panel does not display actual coolant temp - any temp between 75 and 110 degrees celsius (i dont know what imperial is) - dash panel will read 90 degrees C.