Dash lights flash on start up – Is this normal?

[gjm]

This is more likely to be a more general Mk2 Golf question than one specific to a Syncro, but I looked a car earlier today and the oil light and water temperature lights flash on start-up but go out soon after – is this normal?

Other info about the car:

Everything else appears more or less as it should. Gearbox is quiet although clutch bites very high on pedal travel, no bangs or clatters from anywhere, many marks on the bodywork but nothing serious. Interior is clean, oil needs changing (and rocker cover gasket is leaking) but no mayonnaise in the filler cap, and power steering squeals on full lock. Drives straight, stops straight…

There’s lots of little things that need doing, but generally it seems like a reasonable car, especially for one that has done 140k miles. A friend who also drove it said it felt a lot like his GTi.

Any comments?

Graham

[Chris S]

Q) The oil light and water temperature lights flash on start-up but go out soon after – is this normal?

A) Yes, if they go out after a few seconds, its a lamp self check thing.

Q) The clutch bites very high on pedal travel.

A) Check the adjustment, there should be 15 to 20mm free movement on the clutch arm at the gearbox end.

Q) Power steering squeals on full lock.

A) The power steering belt is either worn or slack, adjust or replace.

[gjm]

Thanks Chris. I’m at work – whats your excuse for being up? [|)]

The power steering issue I’ve come across before. Of course, if you don’t use full lock it doesn’t squeal… [:o)] []

If there isn’t free movement on the clutch arm, does this indicate cable adjustment required? The clutch doesn’t slip, and there’s no sag or slack in the pedal travel.

Graham

[Chris S]

Q) If there isn’t free movement on the clutch arm, does this indicate cable adjustment required?

A) Yes it does, the arm should hang down supported by the cable and there should be about 15 to 20 mm upward movement on the arm before it contacts the internal clutch release mechanism, say about a good 1/2 inch

[Chris S]

Thanks Chris. I’m at work – whats your excuse for being up?

Now that I appear to be getting over my illness for the time being, I am all excited about going into my workshop again, there are things in there that people have been waiting for me to do for them for
a couple of months or more []

[Author]

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