don't drive it.  hopefully you haven't already fux0red the engine.

any red warning light generally means "stop right now before things get
really ugly."  In this case I assume it means high engine temperature.

nate

I wouldn't worry unless your car is overheating.  Is the temperature
gauge in the normal postion?  The cause of your blinking light is
likely an electronic component in your cooling system.  You don't need
to stop driving the car unless it's overheating or malfunctioning
mechanically.

   First and foremost a flashing light means stop now or risk serious and
expensive damage.  Of course it is always possible that the computer is
reacting to a bad sensor not high heat or low oil etc.  I would not drive
that car unless I could verify that it is indeed not overheating.

   Second:     Dealers are no better (or worse) than independent mechanics
for almost anything you might need done on your car.  They will almost
always charge more per hour and often more for parts and supplies.  They
also tend to look at repairs a little different than the independent.

   A dealer may well recommend work that strictly may not be needed, but
could be connected to the problem or maybe replace a part when a little
repair would fix it ALMOST as good a new.

   There is no need to bring your car to the dealer for any service other
than service that is going to be paid for by a recall or original warrantee.
During the warranty period be sure to have all required (as listed in the
owner's manual) maintenance done and to document all maintenance work.

   I suggest that most people would be better off finding a good
independent (Not working for a chain) mechanic.

  Note: Never ever use a quick oil change place.  They are fast cheap and
very very bad.

take your pick...

1- it's blinking because engine is overheating. If so, you may do more
damage.
2- coolant level is low
3- fans not running see above #1
4- coolant pump impeller cracked and slipping see #1
5- coolant sensor going bad, but then again I never replaced one for falsely
going red.
6- do you have heat in the car? If no good sign of the coolant pump

One possibility, I did not see as a response.  The facility in the
instrument panel may be intermittently faulty.

Thanks for all the replies.

Problem turned out to be a broken water pump. Miraculously, it's still
under warranty even though my car is 9 years old - I guess it's part
of the powertrain. Dealer is fixing it for free right now. I guess
that's one good argument for going back to the dealer.

Frank

Doesn't anyone EVER read their owners manual???????????????????????????????