Temperature light flashing

[scrounger]

My temperature flashing indicator light used to flash for 2-3 seconds when I started then went out. In the last few days it doesn't go out but continues constantly even when the engine is cold.  So far I haven't noticed any overheating.

My car is an 86 TD Jetta.

Anyone else have this problem and find a solution for it? I believe that it may be a sensor as the engine couldn't be hot with the car just started in 30deg F temp. The gauge reads pretty normal.

[Doug]

The level sensor in the top of the reservoir sometimes gets stuck with goo and crud from the cooling system. Pull it out to check for cleanliness, coolant level and correct operation of the level sensor.

[damac]

Those things are funny.  Over 90% of the time mine work fine.  But once in a while it will start acting wierd and flashing on startup like you are talking about so you know it isn't overheating.  Then jump out of the car even on level ground and find there is plenty of liquid.  Then I will unplug it and plug it back in and turn the car back on and will find it stops.  I even replaced my reservoir and connection there when doing some other work months ago and once in a while the same thing happens.  Not sure if it could possibly be cluster related.

Just makes me think the stock setup won't be reliable when I really need it which sucks.

When I rebuild my jetta in a few months I totally want to spend some money on some gages for oil pressure and coolant temp so that sirens go off on my controllable settings just in case I miss something on a gage.

[scrounger]

Thanks for the good advice. I found the connector on top of the coolant reservoir loose.
I have 250,000 miles good so far.