If you want the light to go away, you’ll need to have the problem fixed . . . which means replacing the thermostat
When the dealer wanted to sell you a thermostat replacement for $650, didn’t they tell you what code you have?
It should be on the paperwork
The 1.8 engine is turbo-charged gasoline, right? If so, suggest to start looking for a newer car. 16 years old VW, $2000 to repair a window button and presumably a few other minor things, now 3+ hours labor just to replace a thermostat. It’s just going to become too costly to keep on the road if a $650 repair bill is making you ask the question. It only takes 1 hour to replace a thermostat in a 2017 Corolla. BTW, that’s the same amount of time it took me to replace the thermostat in my 25 year old Corolla.
They just put a recommendation “a faulty thermostat” on the sheet they gave me. Just called them and they would not tell me the code because “the technician reads the code on the computer and it erases the next day and the technician is off today”.
If you have a faulty thermostat, it should force a new code soon. Wait for the next time it comes, and take it to a different shop for diagnosis. Tell us what the code is and we can help you figure it out. If you want to know the code without going to a mechanic, many chain auto parts stores have code readers. They will read it for you and you can tell us what it’s says. Take a picture of the screens or write the info down.
Thank you,all, very much! A mechanic I found outside of the city changed the thermostat and a coolant tube. For $380! I am sad that VW wanted $1,007 just for the thermostat and did not even notice that the tube was also starting to leak.
So, I will keep my beloved Jetta for a bit longer and should it show other signs of aging, I will sell it. Thank you, all! For someone like me who seems to be unable to understand the mechanics of it all, this forum is a treasure.
Thank you so much! The light always stayed on…
If your Jetta is otherwise in good shape (no bad rust, you’ve done a reasonable job of keeping up with routine maintenance, and you still like it) it may be worth keeping until something major occurs. A number of coworkers and neighbors have and love Jettas and our 2002 TDI is going strong at 130,000mi. with only minor issues along the way (mostly body sensors and switches - more than other cars we’ve owned but not showstoppers). Be absolutely sure to change the timing belt on the earlier of recommended time/mileage, a neighbor’s TB broke recently on a 2005 with just under 90kmi causing him to junk the car. 1.8T Jettas have had problems with sludge and plugged oil passages, so use a name brand synthetic oil, change it more often than recommended, and Idle for a minute or two for the turbo to cool after driving at speed or under load. More info. here, but don’t let it scare you: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/610203-1-8t-Oil-Pressure-Survival-Guide-and-troubleshooting-DIY
If they haven’t been replaced recently, consider changing out plastic and rubber cooling system parts on any car of this age (radiators with plastic end tanks, heater control valve, overflow tank and (if pressurized), hoses.
Timing belts are changed by mileage or time, whichever comes first
It sounds like your neighbor didn’t read his maintenance schedule very carefully
That’s how it appears.