1997 VW T4 2.4 Diesel Cooling system light

[winchman]

Starts drives fine, all temps are normal.
But after 5 mins driving it often starts to flash?
The coolant level is fine as is the engine temp?
Any thoughts?

 

[Bullet2012]

Dodgy thingy

 

[winchman]

Dodgy thingy

But which thing?

 

[johnik]

have you got the book of words ?, i had a brand new Fiat van, one day the oil light came on, puled over, rang the orofice, an hour later they rang back...relax, it means it is due a service

 

[winchman]

have you got the book of words ?, i had a brand new Fiat van, one day the oil light came on, puled over, rang the orofice, an hour later they rang back...relax, it means it is due a service

Its a 1997 van so book tells me cooling system fault?

 

[carbon]

Have you refilled the cooling system recently? If so did you bleed the heater hose? Does the expansion tank have a level sensor?

 

[carbon]

Is the water pump driven by the fan belt, if so is it circulating the water, and are the impellor blades in good condition as corroded blades lower coolant circulation rates considerably, or has the shaft snapped.

2.4 T4's, the water pump is driven from the front timing belt, depending on which engine is fitted the tension on the timing belt is either set by rotating the water pump or on the later ones there is a belt tensioner

 

[Bullet2012]

But which thing?

Maybe the one that’s malfunctioning

 

[frank horton]

u need to join the free "justT4 forum"....tons of good advice there.....there is another forum but u have to pay to join........
the biggest joke with the T4 is the rubbish electrics and connectors....as mine goes down it gets upgraded...

my 99, T4, 1.9TD always had the oil warning buzzer operating...slow down a bit keeping the same gear and it buzzes for a min then goes off....
oil press perfect, have driven it with a test gauge on the dash....perfect.........
from the above forum it seems there are on some 2 o/p switches and its the balance between the 2 that starts it off....
also have replaced the switches loads a times and within a month they start again.....
NOW just bought from the dealer original switches and the forum says that will end my problem.....
An idea for u....?
also how about a temp test gauge rigged up while ur driving to be 100%

 

[carbon]

NOW just bought from the dealer original switches

I had so much trouble with aftermarket lower front swivels with more play in them than the worn one I was replacing. Swapped one three times and didn’t move the van because of the excessive movement went with oem and didn’t have any problems

 

[Wolf1608]

Yes, definitely get on a forum, they, just like here have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

I have the same engine in my 1995 T4. There is a level sensor in the expansion tank, if the level is below it the light comes on. On mine, I have the coolant level midway between min and max. The main level is for cold, and max is at full temperature.

These engines are almost bulletproof, if it's serviced and maintained, has it had the cambelt done recently?

I have just added a turbo to mine, meaning I can now overtake stuff.
Matt

 

[carbon]

I have just added a turbo to mine, meaning I can now overtake stuff.

I never had a problem overtaking with mine when loaded to about 2.4 ton but I usually spent ages getting the injection timing correct rather than in the range that was allowed

 

[finyuk2005]

u need to join the free "justT4 forum"....tons of good advice there.....there is another forum but u have to pay to join........
the biggest joke with the T4 is the rubbish electrics and connectors....as mine goes down it gets upgraded...

my 99, T4, 1.9TD always had the oil warning buzzer operating...slow down a bit keeping the same gear and it buzzes for a min then goes off....
oil press perfect, have driven it with a test gauge on the dash....perfect.........
from the above forum it seems there are on some 2 o/p switches and its the balance between the 2 that starts it off....
also have replaced the switches loads a times and within a month they start again.....
NOW just bought from the dealer original switches and the forum says that will end my problem.....
An idea for u....?
also how about a temp test gauge rigged up while ur driving to be 100%

the oil system also uses a tach signal from the alternator, the plugs/wiring for the alternator often give bother and causes the oil light to flash,
or you could do what i did and use a wee square of black electrical tape to cover the bulb!
i do have a mechanical gauge to keep an eye on things though