Mk5 orange dash light flickered on - what is it?

[firewalker]

The second from left dash light, next to the red alternator light, flickered orange for I think a few seconds (that I'd noticed).
Carried on for over an hour without it coming back on.
May just be coincidence, but when I spotted it I turned off the cd player and it went off! Left it off for the rest of the drive.

Can't tell what this light is trying to tell me - any clues gents?

2.5 diesel non-turbo in a mk5.

[Backbone of Britain]

Probably the water in fuel light. Wiring from plug on bottom of fuel filter may be chaffed, common problem which would put the light on intermittently.

[spospe]

I have had a MK5 water-in-fuel sensor go faulty and it started to come on more or less at random whilst driving. I suggest firstly, check to see if there is any water in the fuel (drain at bottom of fuel filter) and secondly, assuming no water, give it a week or so and if the light still flickers (and the wiring is OK), then you probably have a duff sensor.

[Kedishen]

Alot of time the sensors have been left disconnected by garage mechanics anyway. Just look at the bottom of fuel filter to see if any wires come from it. If none, the sensor will be dangling about somewhere getting knocked about.

[eresseraca]

Mine's coming on occasionally now as well when driving. Only staying on for a second or two at a time.

So would you guys care to describe in detail. Just unscrew the drain plug on the fuel filter and water will find its way out by its own?

When thinking about it, if its a straight forward easy thing that could be taken care of in the outdoor parking lot I could replace the fuel filter with a new one at the same time. Is it just a twist-lock that you remove and put a new one in there or is there steps to be taken not to get air into the system when swapping it?

[knobby1]

So would you guys care to describe in detail. Just unscrew the drain plug on the fuel filter and water will find its way out by its own?

When thinking about it, if its a straight forward easy thing that could be taken care of in the outdoor parking lot I could replace the fuel filter with a new one at the same time. Is it just a twist-lock that you remove and put a new one in there or is there steps to be taken not to get air into the system when swapping it?

Water is heavier than fuel so the water will sit in the bottom of the filter, it will drain out first. If changing the filter, it's best to fill it with fresh fuel before fitting, or she'll be a pig to start.

Lord Knobrot

[eresseraca]

Thanks Knobby1!!