1996 GTI Problems (Window and Temperature Light)

[dejeang]

First, I've been having problems with both of the front power windows. Using the driver-side switch, I must first press up on the right window switch before the right window will go down. Usually, if I stop the window while it's going down, I no longer have to press up first before I can get it to go down.

Until today, sometimes the driver-side window would not go up or down, although I could here the motor. Now, it is stuck down and appears be trying to go up, but after it goes up about 1/2 an inch it drops back down. Seems like a track or gear problem.

The second problem is with the temperature light. It has only come on twice in two weeks, but I'm worried everytime I drive. Both times it has come on has been in the morning afte the engine is at normal running temperature and after I have decended an off-ramp from one autobahn to another. The coolant level is between empty and the low mark. The car has never overheated.

[boschmann]

The window regulators & clips commonly fail, they're probably jamming & causing the motor to reverse as if there were something it was closing on (safety feature). The light will flash when the coolant level is low, add anough to bring it to full. Common leak spots are at the plastic flanges bolted to the cylinder head where the hoses attach.

[dejeang]

The window problem was due to a broken/frayed wire in the rubber tubing between the door and the body of the car. I reconnected/twisted the wire and wrapped it with electrical tape.

The temperature problem was due to a low coolant level. I simply added about a quart of water.

Thanks for advice boschmann.