Warning Light Help

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Hi,

The wife has the car this morning and phoned to say a yellow triangle warning light with an ‘!’ in the middle has come on.

I am guessing this is the central warning lamp. The VW doesn’t give much information on this and just says “ Malfunctions and insufficient service fluids can damage the vehicle and cause it to break down”.

Any ideas on where to start with this? Is there a way to get more information? I would expect something to specifically indicate for example low coolant or break fluid rather than a generic message.

The car hasn’t been serviced all that long ago and done next to no miles in that time. There’s no sign of leak on the driveway either if it is fluid related.

The only thing I noticed on the last couple of journeys after switching off a fan started (quite loud and ran for a couple of mins). Think this is maybe more conincidence but thought I would mention it. *It wasn’t following any spirited driving either 

Earliest VW can get me in is middle of next month so don’t want to cause more of an issue whilst I wait.

Any ideas whilst I wait for VW is appreciated.

[uzinusa]

It'll likely be washer fluid or similar...nothing critical.

[Watts]

Gpf regen needed possibly. Has the mpg gone down too? Fan being on is a big pointer, exhaust note gets a bit deeper too.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Thanks for the reply’s.

Car is back with me now and warning light no longer on… also nothing listed under ‘car’ -> ‘vehicle status’.

Not sure if that’s good or not 

How do you force gpf recon, is it long run when warm and go through so rev range?

I though washer fluid displayed in the UI do not sure if that’s what it would be but will check.

I guess VW would be able to see in the logs if I can wait a month to find out…

[Adam T7]

Warm engine to usual temperature, drive at c. 60mph, take foot off accelerator, coast for 10 seconds, repeat x10 - should clear it.
Above is advice from SRGTD that I followed and it worked perfectly.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Thanks. Looks like a run out tonight!

[Watts]

You'll know if it needs a gpf regen if: the exhaust is louder than normal, mpg has fallen off a cliff and the fans keep coming on.

Mine on a run dropped about 10+ mpg.