"bluejudy" > wrote in message
om...
> My VW Passat coolant light (the one that looks like a thermometer with a
> wave under it) came on during the cold snap the other day and came on
> again today (it's very cold out again today).
>
> 1) On both occasions the radiator was full and the overflow level was
> where it should be in that plastic thing.

Is it where it should be when it's cold or warm? It expands slightly when
warm so if the coolant is a little low when cold, triggering the light, and
then when you actually check it it's warm (and the level higher), that could
be the problem (low coolant but not obvious). Check the coolant level and
add coolant to the 'max' line when it's stone cold (sitting overnight) and
then see if that works. VW's coolant light senses a low coolant level and
it's very sensitive to it...the slightest bit low when cold can often
trigger it.

if a low coolant level was your problem, correct it but keep an eye on it.
If it keeps going low you have a leak somewhere.

> 3) When I turned the car off and on again, that light went out.

VWs are usually that way...they're programmed that once triggered the light
stays on until you turn the ignition off and on again.