newbie question
 

Hi, I just recently bought a 91 turbo automatic mkIII. I drove it for a few days but one morning when I turned on the engine the light next to the temp gauge turned on. It looks kind of like a bird cage. I have never seen this light before on any other car so I don't know what it means. I tried searching the FAQs but I haven't found anything. The car didn't come with the manual so I couldn't look it up. The light turns off after a few minutes of driving, however. But it turns back on after cold starts in the morning. I was just wondering what the light meant and if anybody could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Thanks.

is it to the left of the temp gauge? if so, it is the low level coolant warning light for your radiator reservoir

yes it is to the left of the gauge. So to remedy the problem I just add more coolant?

yes. if it comes on again check around your engine compartment for a leak. i had a leak in mine on the back of the engine where a clamp was loose

when you take a turn does that orange light come on?

As a matter of fact it does turn on when I turn the wheel to the left.

well I was reading some of the blown head gasket threads and it seems that my car is exhibiting some of the symptoms mentioned. I have white smoke coming from the exhaust, rough idle, the "bird cage" light is on, and I think there is a coolant leak. I was just wondering if anyone knows how much it would cost to fix a blown head gasket and whether or not if it is safe to drive the way it is. Thanks.

Re: indicator light
 

That "bird cage" light puzzled me too, but I was told it is the overflow sensor, the little plastic bottle in front of the radiator. When its low and you make a turn, it'll set it off. Top off the bottle to the indicator line and see what happens. If it continues to lose coolant there is a problem somewhere. I saw a thread somewhere in here where this guy had a set-up of a soda bottle to collect coolant coming out of the overflow bottle but I forget exactly what this indicated. Fortunately, my issue was a water pump, not bhg, so I got off cheap. Use the search and u should dig up more.

Scruff.