Vw Polo Warning Light/Tech Question.

[Prudie]

This is a puzzle, thought someone might like to make a suggestion. Currently abroad in a rented VW Polo. 3 times now when driving past the exact same spot on different days the following happens - the electronic speedo display area right in front of driver/steering wheel, changes to a graphic of a car with bars on all 4 sides and also at an angle on all 4 corners all in red lights with a warning beep. It lasts for about 4 seconds then goes. I have done a gogle search of VW dash warnings and there is nothing like this.

Does anyone have a VW and knows this visual? Clearly nothing wrong with the car, driving it all over the place. Just happens at this one spot and only when travelling in one direction, not on the way back....

[bhg481]

That's an interesting problem, Prudie. You clearly can't send us a picture of the dashboard but can you tell us exactly where you are? I'm thinking there might be a strong radio signal from somewhere nearby which is interfering with the car's electronics - a look at the area on Google Earth might be enlightening.

[Prudie]

Thanks bhg, that's interesting as we wondered the same. We are on Menorca and it's when driving north on the Ciutadella ring road ME24 just before the Santandria turn off, on the right exactly where it happens there is a small single story building with grilled windows, some kind of substation or something maybe?? On Google satellite this building appears to have 4 circular things on the roof. It's just the warning is all red and looks major but I can't find a VW reference to it. It might make the more cautious stop the car.

[bhg481]

I think I've found the building you mean - white at an angle to the road. I think the 4 circles on the roof are extraction fans for the heat produced inside it. It makes me think it might be high-voltage electricity where is transformed down for local use; there might be large fields around it which would affect cars travelling north (ie, closer to it) more than those travelling south. Just a guess.

[Tuvok]

Could this be what you've seen?

https://www.tcrossforums.co.uk/threads/strange-warning-symbol-on-dash.1104/

[Prudie]

Bhg yes that is the exact building and Tuvok 2nd best answer because that link confirms it is the collision warning but it's nothing to do with being too close to another vehicle. 3 times exactly as we pass that building travelling north often with no cars in front or behind. Something is causing that faulty warning in that exact spot.

[bhg481]

Well done to Tuvok. My answers were just the thoughts of a long-retired scientist but Tuvok has found the real answer. The bottom line is peace of mind for you.