Engine warning light faulty thermosat sensor

[LukeC]

My engine warning light has come on and its related to a faulty thermostat sensor - my local guys who service it diagnosed it for me.

There is nothing wrong with the car - not over heating etc. The mechanic has said that it is fine to drive but to get the light to turn off will require changing the thermostat. Which is a pretty costly part and the labour required would be a few hours, as its in a difficult to access area of the engine.

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get the light turned off without changing the part? I don't want to spend money needlessly, when it is just a faulty sensor.
 

[RedGolfDom]

The thermostat is only about 30 quid but labour is a lot, there are guides on to change it if you feel like you can it is a tough job though but saves you about 400 quid or whatever they will charge to fit

[Dan_FR]

Makes no sense to me. The thermostat is a mechanical part that controls the cooling of the car - it is not a sensor. If it were faulty the car would overheat or never warm up at all.

Are you sure it's not the coolant temperature sensor that you need to replace?

[bacillus]

Let's be certain on what the issue is here before doing anything!
Get a vcds scan from a forum member near to you http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88875.0.html and post up the fault codes/issues.

[lukemk5gti]

My engine warning light has come on and its related to a faulty thermostat sensor - my local guys who service it diagnosed it for me.

There is nothing wrong with the car - not over heating etc. The mechanic has said that it is fine to drive but to get the light to turn off will require changing the thermostat. Which is a pretty costly part and the labour required would be a few hours, as its in a difficult to access area of the engine.

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get the light turned off without changing the part? I don't want to spend money needlessly, when it is just a faulty sensor.

Don't like to doubt a mechanic but the issue with the thermostat is a common issue and wouldn't cause the engine management light to come on.

Yes you may have a thermostat issue also but that engine warning light shouldn't be left idle.

Scan it yourself and get a print out, don't rely on that mechanics word.