gti 8v warning lights on

[rutter123]

took the 8v for its weekly drive round the block to find the big red stop light and the low water level light staying on, checked water level and lhm level and all ok, stopped then restarted lights come on and stay on after a few seconds running. everything seems to be fine apart from this.?

[adamskibx]

Sounds like a faulty water level sensor to me. Could it be a poor connector? MIght need cleaning.

[bx_pallas]

also check oil level, these lights are also on when there is low/no oil pressure!

[mat_fenwick]

If oil related it will also bring on oil and hydraulic warning lights, so if just the ones mentioned I'd agree with water level sensor. Seemingly a common fault which I've yet to experience (that's cursed it...)

[rutter123]

looks as tho the water level switch is the prob, 1st how can i remove the old unit, 2nd where can i get a new one? 3rd i suspect i have a leaky rad core are gti 8v rads still available?

[Tinkley]

If it is like the 1.6 it is a bayonet fit in the o/s side of the radiator. The switch is a reed type and should have a 'float' which slides in a fork on the plastic (with metal fork tongues on inside) part. I have 'lost' 2 of these 'floats' (2 different cars) so run round with permanent low water level on - new switch still available. It would not surprise me if you have 'lost' the 'float' part into the system. Best to drain the good antifreeze/distilled into a bucket at the bottom af rad so you can refill with same fluid if you want to remove the switch or change it. That means lower tube o/s which is usually easy to detach if not control the flow!.

[Tim Leech]

My 19TZD did that all the time, just crud on the contacts.

[David]

If you haven't tried anything else, It could just need the contacts on the plug to the switch cleaning, I had this problem on mine & after cleaning them off it hasn't happened again. (yet).

As for the float - Mine has never had one & I haven't had any problems without it, The switch uses the water to compete the circuit & thus the light goes out. When its open circuit with no water or bad connections then light comes on.

The switch is located in the side of the radiator nearest the LHM tank, near the bottom with the plug & 2 wires on it, the plug with 3 wires on the back is for the fan control.

Hope that helps.