I removed the 43 relay but unfortunately it made no difference to the flashing LED so I put it back.
Everything works normally until I restart the engine when it's warmed up – then the light flashes constantly until the engine is cold again.
If I take the car for a drive from cold and don't switch off the engine during the journey, then the light doesn't flash at all, apart from the usual few seconds at startup. The issue only happens when I restart the car with the engine up to normal operating temperature. The coolant temperature gauge is working, although on Sunday it seemed to be reading slightly higher than normal, which is usually bang in the middle, and the light was flashing constantly. The coolant is to the maximum and the car isn't overheating.
I drove the car 25 miles to a show on Sunday and the warning light didn't come on when driving there. On the drive home the light it was flashing all the time.
I drove it to work today and it wasn't flashing. It seems to be OK from cold, and then flashes when restarted.
My coolant warning light began flashing constantly on the way back from Tatton Park. The coolant level is fine and the gauge is reading normal temperatures. I tried disconnecting the level sensor connector but the light didn't go out.
I tried it again the next day and the warning light went out on startup and didn't come back on after a 10 minute drive.
Now the warning light is flashing constantly. Is the sensor next to the thermo switch the likely culprit?
Credit is entirely due to the first owner for looking after it and Lawrence, the second owner, for the remarkable refresh. I mostly drive it, wash it, and occasionally polish it.
A few recent pictures of my early GTI, after what has felt like a very long hibernation. The car was built in May 1984 and is the launch specification, with a few differences to GTIs built later in 1984.
I have also uploaded some images of the mechanical refresh carried out by the previous owner, over a period of 4 years. This may be of interest to someone restoring an early MK2 GTI to original spec. RESTO PICS
I will be at a few VW shows this year, including the National Meet, which is always the highlight for me!
